A strategy to put Wales at the forefront of the global space sector and create high-quality jobs across the country is being launched by the Welsh Government - and has been backed by astronaut Tim Peake.
Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething unveiled the National Space Strategy for Wales, Wales: A Sustainable Space Nation.
The strategy highlights the unique physical and business environment Wales offers companies that are revolutionising capabilities in the space sector.
Since 2010, space has proven to be one of the UK’s fastest growing sectors, trebling in size during that time. The sector now employs 42,000 people and generates an income of £14.8bn each year.
The Minister said the strategy is designed to ensure Wales’ space ecosystem is well equipped to grasp the opportunities presented by this growth potential, helping to create well-paid, highly-skilled jobs closer to home.
The Wales Space Strategy is focused on growing the potential of current and future developments in the space sector in Wales, including:
- Space launch , training and experience capability at Spaceport Snowdonia at Llanbedr in Gwynedd, and proposals for sea-based launch platform to operate from Port Talbot;
- Strengths in areas such as low earth observation satellite capabilities , including Cardiff-based Space Forge which is developing a reusable manufacturing space satellite. The company plans the launch of its first made-in-Wales satellite in 2023, return by 2024 and relaunch by 2025.
- Satellite technology used to find water on other planets is being trialled in Wales as part of potential opportunities to make Wales’ coal tips safer.
- Test and evaluation of new greener propulsion technologies at existing facilities, including Llanbedr, Aberporth Range in Ceredigion, Radnor Range in Powys and Pendine in Carmarthenshire;
- A cluster of pioneering companies including Airbus Defence & Space, Raytheon, Qinetiq, and Qioptiq - who manufacture 98% of the global supply of space-qualified glass used in satellites and space vehicles;
- A network of research and teaching facilities , including the Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult in Newport and AMRC Cymru in Broughton, Flintshire, which support sector research and development across the UK;
- The Wales Academic Space Partnership which is harnessing collaborative academic expertise from several Welsh universities.
British Astronaut, Tim Peake, said: “Technology and innovation are key to growing our economy with a skilled workforce and I’m delighted to see that Wales is embracing the exciting opportunities that the space sector has to offer.”
Wales’ Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething said: “The global space industry is rapidly transforming. In all our day to day lives we are becoming more reliant on the space sector and the data it provides, from weather forecasting, internet banking and Sat Nav in our vehicles.
“Wales has a track record of delivering high value manufacturing and innovation which puts a vibrant cluster of space industry leaders operating here in a prime position to flourish in this growing sector.”
