A Space Enterprise Lab has been launched at Ipswich's Adastral Park.
More than 100 members now make up Space East - a cluster bringing together innovators to share their expertise and knowledge as the East of England region tries to position itself as a key player in the UK space sector.
The Suffolk site has become the latest addition to the Satellite Applications Catapult’s countrywide network and is backed by BT, New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Space East, Suffolk County Council and East Suffolk Council.
The new lab provides a range of essential capabilities for space sector companies and innovators, enabling them to work together more effectively and is linked to a network of 13 facilities around the UK.
They include collaboration software, virtual reality headsets and interactive screens, as well as providing a modern working space.
Julian Munson, head of enterprise zones and innovation at New Anglia LEP and chairman of Space East, welcomed the launch.
"We are delighted to see Space Enterprise Lab Adastral come to fruition, supported by our local and national partners," he said.
"This exciting project creates not only a regional base for the growing Space East cluster but a facility which will benefit local businesses and organisations seeking to explore the new world of space applications, unlocking commercial opportunities for multiple sectors from health, social care and agriculture to logistics, offshore energy and marine science”.
Nafeesa Dajda, director of national capabilities at the Satellite Applications Catapult, described the UK’s space sector as "vibrant" and active in every part of the country.
"This lab will encourage collaboration between innovative organisations as they reimagine how we use satellite technology and create new applications to solve our biggest global challenges,” she said.
Space Cluster manager Stuart Catchpole said it was "an exciting addition" to the Space East cluster.
"A free-to-use office space with the latest in smart conferencing technology, it not only provides an innovation space for businesses in and around the space sector to develop, but it further cements our relationship with BT, Adastral Park and the wider UK Space Ecosystem,” he said.
Lisa Perkins, director of Adastral Park and Research realisation in BT's Technology unit, said they were "delighted" to host the facility.
“Home to an exciting ecosystem of hi-tech telecommunication and technology companies, the University of Suffolk and other partners, the lab will enable businesses in the space and satellite sector to tap into the skills, expertise and facilities that we have at the park," she said.
“As the UK’s leading provider of fixed and mobile telecommunications, we look forward to collaborating with others through the Space Enterprise Lab to explore the role that non-terrestrial networks can play in future telecoms, working hand-in-hand with our own research capability.”
Suffolk County Council's economic development chief, councilllor Richard Smith, said it was "an exciting milestone in the growth of the space sector both in Suffolk and across the UK".
"The services offered at this new dedicated facility will create new opportunities for Suffolk organisations to innovate and collaborate in a pioneering industry,” he said.
To find out more about Space East, visit www.spaceeast.co.uk or contact Stuart Catchpole at stuart.catchpole@newanglia.co.uk
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