University joins UK's £17bn space sector

## Summary
University joins UK's £17bn space sector Just now Share Save Galya Dimitrova South of England Share Save University of Southampton UK space policy expert and former UKSA chief executive Prof David Parker (second from left) worked with Prof Matt Middleton (far right) to set up the institute A university has said its recently launched new institute could put a Hampshire city at the forefront of the UK space industry. University of Southampton Prof Middleton added the industry "needs the expertise of a university like Southampton to train the next generation" The new institute is working with the UK's largest regional space cluster, Space South Central, which connects the university with 130 space-related businesses across Hampshire, Surrey and the Isle of Wight. Middleton added the industry "needs the expertise of a university like Southampton to train the next generation, create new jobs and companies, and ensure that space is sustainable in the long term". "We will be drawing on our expertise in electronics, fundamental science, astronautics, artificial intelligence and many others, to enrich the UK space industry and support the national space strategy." UK space policy expert and former UKSA chief executive Prof David Parker worked with Prof Middleton to set up the institute. More news from the University of Southampton Students vote for plant-based menus at university GP access impeded by national systems, study finds Student accommodation plans 'out of keeping' Related internet links University of Southampton Southampton Space Institute UK Space Agency Space South Central European Space Agency UK Space Agency (UKSA) Southampton Hampshire & Isle of Wight Space exploration University of Southampton

## Article Content
University joins UK's £17bn space sector
Just now
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Galya Dimitrova
South of England
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University of Southampton
UK space policy expert and former UKSA chief executive Prof David Parker (second from left) worked with Prof Matt Middleton (far right) to set up the institute
A university has said its recently launched new institute could put a Hampshire city at the forefront of the UK space industry.
The Southampton Space Institute, which belongs to the University of Southampton, will support government plans to develop Britain's fast-growing space sector, worth £17bn every year.
It brings together the expertise of world-renowned research groups and facilities to drive the development of new space technology and conversations around policy and space sustainability.
Inaugural director Prof Matt Middleton said the university "has taught thousands of students about aircraft and satellite design since 1959".
University of Southampton
Prof Middleton added the industry "needs the expertise of a university like Southampton to train the next generation"
The new institute is working with the UK's largest regional space cluster, Space South Central, which connects the university with 130 space-related businesses across Hampshire, Surrey and the Isle of Wight.
The university said it built on its "65-year heritage of education and research in space science, aeronautics and astronautics".
Scientists were recently awarded more than a million pounds through the UK Space Agency's (UKSA) national space innovation programme.
The university said it would use the funding "to develop a plasma torch system, simulating the extreme thermal conditions spacecraft face during re-entry, as well as a sustainable water-based propulsion system for satellites".
Middleton added the industry "needs the expertise of a university like Southampton to train the next generation, create new jobs and companies, and ensure that space is sustainable in the long term".
"We will be drawing on our expertise in electronics, fundamental science, astronautics, artificial intelligence and many others, to enrich the UK space industry and support the national space strategy."
UK space policy expert and former UKSA chief executive Prof David Parker worked with Prof Middleton to set up the institute.
He said their vision was "to drive sustainable, local and national economic growth by becoming one of the top UK universities for space education, novel space science, technology, and applications of space data here on Earth".
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More news from the University of Southampton
Students vote for plant-based menus at university
GP access impeded by national systems, study finds
Student accommodation plans 'out of keeping'
Related internet links
University of Southampton
Southampton Space Institute
UK Space Agency
Space South Central
European Space Agency
UK Space Agency (UKSA)
Southampton
Hampshire & Isle of Wight
Space exploration
University of Southampton

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- Scientists were recently awarded more than a million pounds through the UK Space Agency's (UKSA) national space innovation programme.

### Areas for Consideration
N/A

### Implications
- University joins UK's £17bn space sector Just now Share Save Galya Dimitrova South of England Share Save University of Southampton UK space policy expert and former UKSA chief executive Prof David Parker (second from left) worked with Prof Matt Middleton (far right) to set up the institute A university has said its recently launched new institute could put a Hampshire city at the forefront of the UK space industry.
- The Southampton Space Institute, which belongs to the University of Southampton, will support government plans to develop Britain's fast-growing space sector, worth £17bn every year.
- It brings together the expertise of world-renowned research groups and facilities to drive the development of new space technology and conversations around policy and space sustainability.
- Middleton added the industry "needs the expertise of a university like Southampton to train the next generation, create new jobs and companies, and ensure that space is sustainable in the long term". "We will be drawing on our expertise in electronics, fundamental science, astronautics, artificial intelligence and many others, to enrich the UK space industry and support the national space strategy." UK space policy expert and former UKSA chief executive Prof David Parker worked with Prof Middleton to set up the institute.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers space, university, southampton topics. Notable strengths include discussion of space. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 460.