East of England Showcases Power of a “Connected Space Economy” in New Capability Report
Space East has launched its first major capability report, Connected Space Economy: Space East Capabilities, revealing how the East of England’s space expertise is already driving growth and innovation across the wider economy.
Produced in partnership with global space market intelligence specialist Space Insider (part of Resonance), the report maps around 280 space‑related organisations across the region, and highlights how space technologies are being translated into real‑world impact in sectors ranging from transport and ports to agriculture, health and energy.
Rather than viewing space as a standalone industry, the report demonstrates how the East of England is building a connected space economy, linking satellites, networks and data with end users on the ground to deliver practical services, resilience and economic value.
Space Capabilities at Work Across the Region:
The report shows how long‑established strengths in satellite communications (SATCOM), Earth observation, sensing, data analytics and advanced manufacturing are being deployed to solve real operational challenges.
Regional examples include:
Together, these assets form a near end‑to‑end space and digital connectivity stack, from payload design and manufacturing, through ground infrastructure and hybrid terrestrial‑satellite networks, to deployed services used by industry and government.
Covering Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, the report identifies a nationally significant ecosystem offering upstream and downstream capabilities, featuring:
This reflects both the region’s long‑standing aerospace and telecommunications heritage and the rapid emergence of new space‑enabled businesses operating at the interface with other sectors.
Strong Alignment with UK Priorities:
The analysis shows how Space East’s activities align closely with national priorities including the National Space Strategy, Space Industrial Plan, National Quantum Strategy and Wireless Infrastructure Strategy.
It highlights the region’s role in delivering capabilities recognised as part of the UK’s Critical National Infrastructure, such as resilient satellite communications and space‑enabled data services, while also supporting innovation in climate resilience, mobility, food security and security‑related applications.
The report also points to strong investor interest, underpinned by assets such as Freeport East, major research campuses and established innovation ecosystems.
A Platform for Collaboration and Growth:
Connected Space Economy: Space East Capabilities provides a robust evidence base to support deeper collaboration between industry, academia, government and investors, offering a clearer picture of how space technologies are already contributing to regional and national prosperity.
Stuart Catchpole, Regional Director at Space East, said:
“This report shows how space capability in the East of England is being applied far beyond the space sector itself. By connecting satellites, networks and data with real‑world users, the region is turning space investment into practical services, skilled jobs and meaningful economic value.”
Paul Febvre, Space East Chair, Professor and Director of Cranfield Centre for Resilient Space Systems, Communications and PNT, added:
“This synthesis of a thorough piece of investigative research illustrates the significant contributions that organisations in the East of England make to the space economy.
The report is a excellent resource for those looking to build their network and create collaborative partnerships to generate commercial value in today’s competitive environment.”
The full report, Connected Space Economy: Space East Capabilities, is available below.
About Space East:
Launched in 2023 with funding from the UK Space Agency and following 2 years of groundwork led by New Anglia LEP, the Space East cluster serves as a key catalyst for space sector development in the region. Working as one of 14 such clusters across the UK and supported by Suffolk County Council, Norfolk County Council, Essex County Council, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, Hertfordshire Futures and the University of East Anglia, it works with partners such as the Satellite Applications Catapult and European Space Agency to deliver the objectives set out in the governments space strategy, supporting space sector businesses to grow and non-space businesses to access the opportunities that this £18.2 billion UK sector provides.
In three years Space East has grown to nearly 400 members across industry, academia and public sectors, becoming the fastest growing space cluster in the UK.
About Resonance Holdings:
Space Insider delivers real-time, structured intelligence across the global space economy. Through relational mapping that connects companies, missions, capital and policy, the platform turns fragmented sector data into a connected picture, showing not just what’s happening, but who’s involved and where momentum is building.
Used by investors, space company founders and executives, government agencies, military entities, industry analysts and academic research organisations.
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Link to Full Report:
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