Airbus Launchpad, a new facility aimed at helping small businesses break into the UK space sector, has opened at Airbus Defence and Space’s site in Stevenage, supported by £3.9m from the UK Space Agency.
The new facility will offer SMEs, start-ups and research organisations access to laboratories, workspaces and specialist testing facilities through a no-cost residency programme. Capable of hosting more than 50 people, the centre is intended to strengthen the domestic space supply chain while nurturing technical skills and innovation.
Funding for the project has been provided through the UK Space Agency’s Space Clusters Infrastructure Fund and was match-funded by Airbus. The first companies—Applied Atomics, Spintex and Stars Edge—are expected to move in from early February.
Government and industry backing
Space Minister Liz Lloyd said the initiative demonstrated the value of close cooperation between the public and private sectors. “By backing our SMEs and start-ups, we’re helping brilliant British ideas become successful businesses that create jobs and strengthen our supply chain,” she said, adding that the partnership showed how even the smallest firms could be supported to thrive.
Dr Paul Bate, chief executive of the UK Space Agency, described the Launchpad as “another important example” of collaboration between established industry players and emerging companies. He said the investment would help transform early-stage ideas into commercial products while diversifying the UK’s capabilities.
Growing the supply chain
The facility forms part of Airbus’ Community for Space Prosperity programme, which focuses on expanding research, innovation and outreach across the national space ecosystem. Kata Escott, managing director of Airbus Defence and Space UK, said successful SMEs were “essential for the future of the UK space sector”. She added that the Launchpad would create the conditions for collaboration and accelerate progress at a critical time.
The centre is the latest project supported by the Space Clusters Infrastructure Fund. Earlier this month the £20m Westcott Space Hub in Buckinghamshire opened with £5.8m in government funding, providing further testing and training capacity for space businesses.
For more articles like this, visit our Innovation channel
