Space jobs in Wales have more than doubled in the last financial year, reveal figures released by the UK Space Agency.
Employment in Wales’ space sector grew by 694, rising from 415 in 2019 to 1,109 in 2020, according to new figures published in the ‘Size and Health of the UK Space Industry 2021’ survey.
This is part of a wider growth in employment across the UK space sector, which reached 46,995 in 2020, up from 44,040 in 2019, an increase of 2,955 (6.7%), despite the global impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Overall sector income increased in nominal terms from £16.4 billion to £16.5 billion in 2020.
Space manufacturing, including satellites, spacecraft, launch vehicles and scientific instruments, grew the most in real terms – up by £23m to £2.27bn.
Over the past decade, UK space investment has seen 145 unique investors in 38 companies invest nearly £6bn across 90 investment deals between 2012 and 2021.
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Last month, the first satellite developed in Wales is due to be launched from Spaceport Cornwall this summer in what is being branded as a historic moment for the UK space industry.
Launch company Virgin Orbit and European in-space manufacturing tech start-up Space Forge have signed an agreement to launch the first satellite developed in the principality.
Last year, Cardiff-based Space Forge secured a £7.7m equity boost in what was Europe’s largest ever seed-funding round for a space tech company.
The UK Space Agency said levelling up the space sector is a key priority. Investment in research and development for the space sector saw a 19% boost to £836m.
There are 1,293 space organisations currently located across the UK, with these likely to increase jobs further in the coming years, the agency said.
Cardiff-based Space Forge’s is Wales’ first-ever satellite manufacturer (Image: John Myers)Alongside growth of regional space clusters, international investment and emerging technologies, such as in-space manufacturing and debris removal, supported by the National Space Strategy.
Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart said: “It’s very promising to see employment in this sector in Wales more than double to over 1,000 highly skilled and well-paid jobs. And with the launch of a Welsh-built satellite, I’m confident this growth will only continue.”
Mr Hart added: “We are seeing levelling up in practice here. With UK Government investment in R&D, we can ensure that prosperity is spread all around the country, and importantly, right here in Wales.”
Science Minister George Freeman said: “The £16.5 billion space sector is a major contributor to a strong and secure UK economy, and it’s promising to see it generate thousands of new high-skilled jobs in the face of global economic headwinds.
“We’re backing this innovative and resilient industry through the largest ever increase to R&D spending, which includes a significant uplift to the UK Space Agency’s budget, and the delivery of the UK’s first National Space Strategy.”
Dr Paul Pate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, said: “The UK space sector has shown remarkable resilience in the face of challenges presented by the pandemic, thanks to the incredible efforts of all those within it, and its future is a bright and ambitious one.”
He added: “We continue to work closely with partners across the industry, with academia and our colleagues across government to catalyse further investment, deliver new space capabilities and missions, and champion space for the good of humanity. This will help us overcome challenges, drive forward the pace of innovation and bring tangible benefits to people and businesses.”
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