London’s first Space Enterprise Lab opens at UCL

The new lab, hosted by UCL Faculty of Engineering at IDEALondon, cements UCL’s role in supporting innovators to tackle global challenges using space data and advanced satellite technologies.

Businesses, researchers and practitioners will now be able to collaborate, and access new resources and networks at the facility, accelerating space research and innovation.

The new lab is the latest addition to the Satellite Applications Catapult’s network of now 15 Space Enterprise Labs (SELs) across the UK. The labs are designed to give space innovators free access to the tools and facilities needed to fast track new products, projects and partnerships.

The lab at IDEALondon will also be part of a new collaboration with the UK Space Agency Accelerator (delivered by Entrepreneurial Spark) to strengthen support for space startups. As part of this collaboration, SELs will host co-working days and networking sessions for entrepreneurs taking part in the accelerator programmes.

New opportunities for students, researchers and the space ecosystem

Professor Andy Nisbet, Dean, UCL’s Faculty of Engineering, said: “Space presents extraordinary opportunities for research and innovation, from developing advanced materials and communication technologies to addressing critical sustainability challenges.

“Across UCL Engineering, our academics are contributing to these developments. I’m excited to host the Space Enterprise Lab at IDEALondon, where we engage with innovation communities from sectors such as space to connect our research and students with pioneering industry partners and translate outcomes into real-world applications.”

Making UCL the home for innovative space startups

The SEL IDEALondon has been developed as a joint initiative between UCL, Satellite Applications Catapult (SAC), the UK Space Agency, and Space South Central.

The partnership with UCL builds on a long standing relationship between UCL and the SAC, and is being supported by UCL’s Strategic Innovation Partnerships team within UCL Innovation & Enterprise. 

Kemil Thomas, Principal Partnerships Manager (High Growth SMEs), UCL Innovation & Enterprise, said: “This is fantastic news for UCL, both on a partnership and innovation level. This facility at IDEALondon extends our partnership with the SAC further and solidifies our commitment to supporting the UK space sector and the next generation of space entrepreneurs.”

Simone Hartless, Head of Capabilities and Clusters at the Satellite Applications Catapult, said: “The launch of the Space Enterprise Lab IDEALondon at UCL represents a new chapter for the UK’s space ecosystem. By combining the innovation energy of London’s digital and research communities with the national SEL network, we’re enabling collaboration that turns ideas into impact.”

Set up in 2013 by UCL and operated by WilbeLAB, IDEALondon brings together curated events, expert support and access to UCL’s resources and talent, to help early stage ventures scale and grow. 

UCL has a strong reputation in space research, from space architecture and policy to planetary science and space science instrumentation. 

To find out more, including booking details for SEL IDEALondon, please email Space Enterprise Labs (sel@spaceenterprise.uk) or visit the SEL website.

Links

Find out more about:

• UCL Engineering
• IDEALondon
• Space research at UCL
• Developing a partnership with UCL
• Satellite Applications Catapult
• Space South Central

Photo taken at the launch of the Space Enterprise Lab at IDEALondon shows:

• Joaquin Perez-Grande, Space Ecosystem Manager, Satellite Applications Catapult
• Louise Butt, Director, Space South Central Enterprise Network
• Robert Thompson, Vice-Dean Enterprise, Engineering Sciences, UCL
• Kemil Thomas, Principal Partnerships Manager (High Growth SMEs), UCL Innovation & Enterprise