The Satellite Applications Catapult is an independent innovation and technology company, created to foster growth across the economy through the exploitation of space. They help organisations make use of and benefit from satellite technologies, and bring together multi-disciplinary teams to generate ideas and solutions in an open innovation environment.

Based in Harwell, near Didcot, the Catapult was established in May 2013 by Innovate UK (formerly known as the Technology Strategy Board) as one of a network of centres to accelerate the take-up of emerging technologies and drive economic growth. They are a not-for-profit research organisation which is registered as a private company limited by guarantee and controlled by its Board. (Read more about the Governance of the Catapult.)

Their Role in the Space Sector

The UK Space sector is increasingly recognised for its significant contribution to the UK economy. This follows a decade of sustained growth of approximately 9% year-on-year, underpinned by a broad commitment to excellence and innovation. The UK already commands a 7% share of the global space market, and has ambitions to increase this to 10% as the global market swells to a predicted value of £400 billion by 2030.

Under the leadership of Chairman Tim Sherwood and Chief Executive Officer Stuart Martin, the Catapult aims to be at the forefront of the UK Space sector’s growth plans and investment. Increasing the UK’s share of the global market by 3% would more than quadruple the UK space-related economy, making it worth an estimated £40 billion per year, and create around 100,000 new high-tech jobs across the country.

They are delivering this growth in the Space sector by offering state-of-the-art facilities, expertise and an accessible collaborative environment.