Electronics Weekly
It is part of the Surrey Technology Centre (STC) in Guildford. This is located in the Surrey Research Park, on the University of Surrey campus.
The lab provides a range of equipment for those looking to benefit from space data and technologies. Basically, it offers free access to digital technology to work collaboratively, host hybrid meetings, and run demonstrations and events. For example, services will enable user engagement sessions, virtual whiteboards and built-in video conferencing.
South Central
The SEL will become part of Space South Central, which is one of the UK’s largest regional space clusters. It is also part of a linked network of 14 such facilities around the UK which can be used independently or together.
Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) and the SETsquared Surrey incubator are also located in the park.
“Guildford has long been a hub for cutting-edge research and innovation, and I am incredibly excited to support the opening of the new Space Enterprise Lab at Surrey Research Park,” said Zöe Franklin, Guildford’s MP. “Facilities like this play a vital role in attracting future-focused technology businesses to our town, driving inward investment, and creating highly skilled jobs for our community.”
“This new Space Lab will help local companies tap into national and global opportunities, strengthening Guildford’s position as a leader in the UK and global space and technology markets. I can’t wait to see the impact this initiative will have on both our local economy and the wider space industry.”
SEL
As mentioned, it’s the latest addition to the Catapult’s network of such Space Enterprise Labs. The first was launched in 2021.
For example, late last year the UK Catapult opened a Space Enterprise Lab in Belfast, for Northern Ireland.
The full list of the fourteen UK SEL locations is now:
- Adastral (Ipswich, Suffolk)
- Belfast (Queen’s AMIC Harbour)
- Daresbury (Liverpool City Region)
- Edinburgh (South-East Scotland)
- Glasgow (Central Scotland)
- Harwell (Oxfordshire)
- Leeds (Space Hub Yorkshire)
- Leicester (Leicestershire)
- NETPark (County Durham)
- Newport (South Wales)
- OpTIC (North Wales)
- Spaceport Cornwall (Cornwall)
- Surrey (Guildford, Surrey)
- Westcott (Buckinghamshire)
“We are delighted to launch the new Space Enterprise Lab Surrey to support the Space South Central cluster,” said Simone Hartless, Head of Capabilities and Clusters at the Satellite Applications Catapult.
“Our national network of Space Enterprise Labs is delivered with partners and are local places for stakeholders to collaborate and connect in the UK Space Ecosystem. This Lab will support the cluster community to develop and scale innovative solutions to real world challenges using satellite data and space technology.”
You can find out more about the SELs on the Satellite Applications Catapult website.
Image: Satellite Applications Catapult – (Left to Right) Caroline Fleming, Director of Surrey Innovation District, University of Surrey, and Guildford’s MP Zöe Franklin showcase VR headsets – part of the new collaboration facilities.
See also: UK Catapult opens Space Enterprise Lab at Adastral Park
