Satellites could soon be launched from Wales, in a move that would put Snowdonia at the forefront of the UK’s space industry — and create nearly 100 high-value jobs for the area.

The proposed Vertical Small Satellite Launch project is a collaboration between Snowdonia Aerospace Centre (formerly the MoD’s Llanbedr airfield) and Bristol-based B2Space, which will relocate to Llanbedr if the bid is successful.

The aim is to establish a domestic launch capability for the small and micro satellites — as many as 3,000 micro-satellites are forecast to require a launch between 2017 and 2022.

The number of micro satellite operators is rapidly growing and the global market, already worth $2.22 billion, is expected to reach $5.31 billion by 2021.

Valentin Canales, co-founder and technical director of B2Space, said: “There is compelling evidence that the industry needs small launch vehicles, and we want to be the first company to provide consistent and reliable low-cost access to space for small satellites.



Many more companies could soon afford to launch satellites into space through our project. Providing low-cost space access could mean that we use space in a way that hasn’t been considered before.”

The partnership is bidding for grants of up to £10 million, and its plans were presented to a panel of experts from the UK Space Agency last month.

The venture would provide an affordable and flexible launching system to put satellites weighing less than 150kg into Low Earth Orbit.

The system comprises a stratospheric balloon with a self-operating platform, from which a three-stage rocket will deliver the satellites to their required orbits.

Mr Canales added: “Wales is already a centre of excellence for aerospace manufacturing, and it has the physical and intellectual infrastructure to support the growing space market.

“Current market estimates are for 30 launches per year by 2022, giving an annual spend of around £60 million a year in Wales and for the UK supply chain.”