NEWS22 July 2025
Surrey’s thriving space business community looks set to benefit from the UK Space Agency’s renewed investment in Space South Central, the UK’s largest regional space cluster.
The £160,000 funding, announced at the UK Space Conference in Manchester last week, will enable the cluster to continue through to March 2026. This allocation forms part of a wider £1.6 million shared equally among ten recognised UK space clusters.
Space South Central represents more than 200 space organisations across Surrey and neighbouring counties. Since its formation, it has played a critical role in growing the UK space economy through skills development, international collaboration, and regional innovation.
Supporting space investment, innovation and future skills
Space South Central has directly supported a range of opportunities for Surrey Research Park’s thriving space business community, with companies such as Ramon.Space, Vicinity Technologies, Morpheus Fluid Technologies, Myriota, Airbus, and SSTL, all participating.
Notably, earlier this year, collaborating with Space South Central, around ten businesses from the Park showcased their work at the Farnborough International Space Show.
Another key Space South Central-led initiative was the Cosmic Capital programme. This was a UK-wide investment-readiness programme delivered by SETsquared Surrey.
Based at Surrey Research Park and funded by the UK Space Agency, Cosmic Capital helped 25 founders from high-growth space-tech companies build their confidence, sharpen their investor pitches, and connect with angel and early-stage funders.
The cluster has also helped promote Surrey’s and the regional skills pipeline through initiatives like its Space Software, Data and AI CPD Course, which tackles the critical shortage of software, data, and AI skills within the UK space sector.
Plus, the JUPITER programme, involving students from the University of Surrey, for instance, notably develops the practical skills crucial for companies in our innovation district’s talent pipeline.
Dr Louise Butt, Director of Space South Central, said:
“This funding recognises the exceptional contribution Space South Central makes to both our regional economy and the UK’s national space ambitions.
“Over the past year, we’ve demonstrated how sustained investment in regional innovation networks creates lasting impact, from groundbreaking skills programmes to attracting major international companies to our region.”
Continued momentum for Surrey’s space ecosystem
This announcement follows recent news about the establishment of the Surrey Space Institute by the University of Surrey. The Institute will help deliver new mission-ready research and postgraduate training to support the growth of the UK space sector.
Together, these developments reinforce Surrey’s growing role in national space strategy and Surrey Research Park’s position as a key destination for space companies looking to scale, connect and thrive.
