The UK's space agency is planning to relocate its main office to the Harwell Science Campus space cluster in England in June to enhance connections with the business industry.
The UK Space Agency (UKSA) has been based in nearby Swindon since it was established from the British National Space Centre 14 years ago. It has been sharing this building with the country’s national research funding councils that unified in 2018 to create the UK Research and Innovation agency.
“This is a significant moment for the UK Space Agency,” stated UKSA CEO Paul Bate on March 24, “in direct response to the advice that the Agency should be closely associated with the sector.”
Stuart Grant, CEO of Harwell Campus, stated that including UKSA among the already established 100+ organizations at the space cluster would further solidify its position as an international space hub.
UKSA intends to retain its presence in Swindon and London, and establish new offices in other parts of England, Wales, and Scotland in the near future.
UKSA has indicated that this expansion will help it advance regional skills and career opportunities for a national space sector valued at £17.5 billion ($22.1 billion) annually, which is growing faster than the rest of the country’s economy.
