Universities and Science Minister Jo Johnson recently visited the site of the new £100 million ‘state of the art’ Government-funded National Satellite Testing Facility (NSTF) on the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire.

Due to open in early 2020, the NSTF will be a world-class facility for the assembly, integration and testing of space instruments and satellites, enabling the UK to capitalise on the estimated 3,500-10,000 satellites that are due to be launched by 2025.

It will also facilitate the build of bigger and more technologically advanced satellites and remove the need for UK companies to use test facilities located abroad.

Mr Johnson said: “From Cornwall to the Highlands and islands of Scotland, the UK space sector underpins industries worth more than £250 billion to the UK economy, and through our Industrial Strategy we will unlock the sector’s potential to grow further.

“Located in a cluster known for research excellence, these new facilities will help UK companies to be more competitive in the global market for space technology, and they will support our ambition to capture 10% of the global space market by 2030.”

Graham Turnock, chief executive of the UK Space Agency, said: “This investment will enhance the capability of the UK space industry. Having access to a National Satellite Testing Facility will help companies develop and will encourage new business to come the UK.”