Space East, Harwell and Westcott Sign Landmark MOU Advancing the Space Sector Across South England

24 July 2025 – Manchester, UK — Space East, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, and the Westcott Space Cluster formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the 2025 UK Space Conference, marking a major step forward in accelerating collaboration across the UK’s space sector.

Facilitated with support from the Satellite Applications Catapult (SAC) and funded by the UK Space Agency, this strategic agreement brings together three of the UK’s leading local space clusters in a coordinated effort to progress innovation, investment, and skills development.

The MOU outlines a shared commitment to develop a Pan Cluster Partnership, building on regional strengths and enabling a joined-up approach to growing the UK’s space ecosystem. It will also support and build on existing national initiatives, including the SAC’s Connected Capabilities Networks (CCNs).

The initiative will begin later this month with a UK Space Agency-funded Pilot Phase. During this time, the partners will work to:

• Develop a pan-regional capability map to identify shared strengths and attract inward investment;
• Promote regional capabilities and the benefits of collaboration to industry, academia, and government;
• Deliver a series of joint events to stimulate further collaboration and knowledge sharing;
• Drive innovation, economic activity, and skills development across the regions; and
• Pave the way for future phases that will continue to build on this momentum.

Stuart Catchpole, Regional Director for Space East said “This MOU marks a major milestone in our collective ambition to build a more connected and competitive UK space sector. The East and South East of England is a region of national strategic importance in the UK, uniquely positioned due to its concentration of innovation, science, and technology assets. Through enhancing collaboration, we can amplify the impact of each cluster and  unlock the potential of the Oxford-Cambridge corridor as a national and international leader in space-enabled innovation.”

“This partnership will showcase how we can develop collaboration between clusters to drive national impact. By strengthening links across the UK’s space clusters, we’re aiming to accelerate innovation, support new businesses, and help to position the UK to be at the forefront of global space capability,” said Dr Hugh Mortimer, Harwell’s Space Cluster Manager.

Ian Barham, Westcott Space Cluster lead, said “We are delighted to be part of this exciting new collaboration with Space East and Harwell to establish a regional space cluster for the East and South East of England. This partnership represents a major step forward in strengthening the UK’s space ecosystem, and we look forward to working together to drive innovation, investment, and opportunity across the region.

Our shared ambition is to create a connected and collaborative network that supports the growth of high-tech businesses, accelerates the development of space technologies, and enhances the UK’s global competitiveness in the space sector.”

“This is a hugely exciting moment for the UK space sector,” said Simone Hartless, at the Satellite Applications Catapult. “Bringing together the strengths of Harwell, Westcott and Space East is not just a strategic step, it’s a powerful signal of what we can achieve when we work as a connected, collaborative community. We are proud to have supported the development of this partnership, and we look forward to seeing the innovation, energy and opportunities it will unlock across the region from Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire through to the East of England and beyond.”

Antonia Yendell, Head of Space Ecosystem Development at the UK Space Agency said: “The partnership between Space East, Harwell, and Westcott represents exactly the kind of strategic collaboration that will drive the UK space sector forward.”

“This connected approach strengthens our entire space ecosystem and reinforces the UK’s position as a leader in space innovation. We’re proud to support this partnership, which exemplifies how collaboration can unlock new opportunities and accelerate growth across our thriving space sector.”

The signing took place during the 2025 UK Space Conference, underscoring the national importance of the partnership and its alignment with the UK’s wider space strategy.

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For media enquiries or further information, please contact:

Stuart Catchpole, Regional Director, Space East. stuart@spaceeast.co.uk. 07436 140185

About Space East.

Space East is the regional space cluster for the 6 counties of the East of England, the UK’s third-largest space sector region. 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. Funded by the UK Space Agency, hosted by Suffolk County Council and supported by Norfolk County Council, Essex County Council, Hertfordshire Futures and Cambridgeshire & Peterborough combined Authority, it operates as one of 14 such clusters across the UK. 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 just 24 months, Space East has accomplished significant milestones, including:

• A strong, collaborative network community: Expanded to over 280 cluster members from public, private, and academic sectors, enhancing cross-county connections and sector integration across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, and Bedfordshire.
• £4 million + in project funding: Secured and allocated toward regional and national projects, including cross-sector work with Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.
• Regional economic growth and productivity: Through over 1000 unique engagements, Space East has made over 300 introductions for stakeholders. It has instigated and delivered activities with sector cluster partners and created a Space Enterprise Lab, a central facility for the space sector in the region.
• National Awareness: Space East has greatly raised awareness of the sector and the region itself delivering and attending over 100 events.

About Harwell

Harwell Science and Innovation Campus is one of the UK’s most advanced centres for scientific research, innovation, and technology development. Spanning 700 acres in Oxfordshire and home to over 200 organisations and 7,500 people, Harwell sits at the heart of the Oxford-Cambridge corridor and forms a cornerstone of the UK’s science and space ecosystem.

The Harwell Space Cluster is the UK’s largest concentration of space activity, with more than 100 space organisations including the UK Space Agency, European Space Agency, RAL Space, Satellite Applications Catapult, and a diverse range of innovative SMEs and global primes. The cluster supports the full spectrum of the space value chain, from satellite manufacturing and launch services to data applications and in-orbit servicing, and plays a pivotal role in delivering the UK’s space strategy.

Key highlights include:

• 100+ space organisations on site, covering the full space value chain
• 1,600+ employees in the space sector
• Co-location of major national and international institutions, including the UK Space Agency, European Space Agency (ECSAT), RAL Space, and the Satellite Applications Catapult
• Over £1.4 billion in investment raised by companies across the campus
•  Integrated business and venture support ecosystem, including ESA BIC UK (incubator for early-stage businesses), ESA Phi Lab, and tailored acceleration programmes such as QuBIC and Help to Grow. Harwell also provides access to cross-cluster proof-of-concept funding, investor readiness training, curated VC introductions, and soft-landing support for international companies
• Access to national laboratories and infrastructure such as Diamond Light Source, ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, and the Central Laser Facility
• A leading role in advancing UK ambitions in Earth observation, connectivity and communications, in-orbit servicing, and commercialisation of space technologies

As a strategic gateway to the UK space sector, Harwell plays a vital role in supporting economic growth, advancing national capabilities, and fostering innovation at the intersection of science, government, and industry. Harwell hosts four nationally significant clusters, in space, energy, health, and quantum,  driving interdisciplinary collaboration and world-class innovation. The Harwell Space Cluster is the largest of its kind in the UK, bringing together public agencies, major primes, high-growth SMEs, and research institutions.

About Westcott

Westcott Space Cluster: Powering the Future of the UK Space Industry

Located within the Buckinghamshire Enterprise Zone at Westcott Venture Park, the Westcott Space Cluster is a nationally significant centre for space innovation, research, and commercialisation. It brings together a vibrant ecosystem of companies and institutions working at the forefront of rocket propulsion, satellite communications, in-orbit servicing, and drone technologies.

A key driver of the cluster’s success is the Satellite Applications Catapult, which has played a central role in establishing Westcott as a hub for space sector growth. Through its leadership, the Catapult has developed critical infrastructure including the Future Networks Development Centre, Drone Test and Development Centre, and the Westcott Innovation Centre, supporting startups and SMEs in bringing space technologies to market.

The cluster is also home to the National Space Propulsion Test Facility, a unique UK asset enabling the testing of propulsion systems under space-like conditions. This facility is operated by Nammo, a global leader in rocket propulsion, and supported by the UK Space Agency, which has invested significantly in Westcott’s development as part of its national strategy to grow the UK’s space capabilities.

With over £40 million in public and private investment, Westcott is rapidly becoming the UK’s go-to location for next-generation space technologies. It is a key part of the UK’s industrial strategy for space, creating high-skilled jobs, fostering innovation, and strengthening the UK’s position in the global space economy.

About Satellite Applications Catapult

The Satellite Applications Catapult is one of nine UK catapults uniquely positioned to innovate and promote the development of satellite technologies and applications. They offer access to facilities and expertise, encourage collaboration and partnerships, and support the commercialisation of new products and services in key areas such as Earth observation, satellite communications, and navigation.

In partnership with the UK Space Agency, the Satellite Applications Catapult also supports the UK Space Ecosystem – a growing suite of resources designed to connect organisations, showcase national capabilities, and open doors across the UK’s dynamic and expanding space sector.