UK Space SME Facility Opens with Government Backing to Boost Industry Growth
A new facility designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK space sector has officially opened at Airbus Defence and Space’s Stevenage site. The Airbus Launchpad has been backed by £3.9 million from the UK Space Agency, providing specialist laboratories, workspaces and testing areas to help young space businesses scale up and innovate.
The facility offers a no-cost residency programme for start-ups, SMEs and research organisations, giving them access to advanced equipment and expertise. Three companies are due to take up residence from early February, strengthening the UK’s homegrown space supply chain and supporting high-skilled jobs.
Government and industry leaders say the initiative will help turn innovative ideas into commercially viable technologies, expand capabilities and diversify the UK’s space ecosystem. This collaboration between Airbus and the UK Space Agency reflects a wider strategy to make the UK a global leader in space services and technology.
The UK space sector is experiencing rapid growth and increasing economic importance. Recent figures show that UK Space Agency activity helped catalyse £2.2 billion of investment and revenue in 2024-25, including through regional infrastructure funding that attracts private capital and creates new opportunities for businesses across the country. The industry is forecast to be worth around £40 billion by 2030, driven by satellite services, launch capabilities, Earth observation, and downstream data applications.
The new facility is part of a broader effort to support innovation clusters, attract international investment, and ensure the UK remains at the forefront of space science, technology and commercial activity
