£20 Million Westcott Space Hub to Propel UK Space Innovation

A new research and development hub, the Westcott Space Hub, has been launched with an investment of £20 million to drive innovation within the UK’s space sector. Located at Westcott Venture Park in Buckinghamshire, the facility aims to support space businesses by providing advanced testing and research capabilities. It is expected to create approximately 300 jobs in the region.

The hub spans 62,000 square feet and features a range of facilities, including testing spaces, training areas, and commercial workspaces. Among its standout amenities is a vacuum chamber designed for testing electric propulsion engines. The UK Space Agency (UKSA) notes that this chamber is the only one of its kind in the UK and ranks among the largest globally.

The Westcott site has a rich history as a rocket engine test location, with over 50 years of heritage. It is also home to the Westcott Drone Test and Development Centre, further solidifying its status as a key player in aerospace innovation.

According to Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, “This world-class facility will provide companies with access to cutting-edge testing infrastructure that was previously unavailable in this country, helping them to scale up and compete globally.” He emphasized that the UKSA’s funding of £5.8 million is already yielding results, leveraging significant private sector investment and generating high-skilled job opportunities.

The funding structure for the Westcott Space Hub combines public and private investments. The UKSA contributes £5.8 million, while an additional £15 million comes from match funding partnerships with URA Thrusters, Patrizai Hanover Property Unit Trust, Skyports Drone Services, Westcott Shared Facilities Ltd, and Buckinghamshire Council.

Alberto Garbayo, CEO of URA Thrusters, highlighted the significance of the hub, stating, “The Westcott Space Hub, in conjunction with our historic existing testing sites in Westcott, has made us one of the few companies in the world with capacity for full integration, production and in-vacuum testing for both chemical and electric thrusters.” He added that the hub enhances Westcott’s appeal for various space-related business activities, forecasting an increase in technologies developed at Westcott entering orbit in the coming years, including those aimed at deep-space missions.

The establishment of the Westcott Space Hub represents a significant step toward bolstering the UK’s space industry. By providing essential resources and infrastructure, it aims to foster collaboration among businesses, researchers, and training facilities, which is vital for the UK’s growing space economy.

As the hub prepares to open its doors, its impact on the local economy and the broader aerospace sector is anticipated to be substantial, marking a new era for space innovation in the UK.