News

The Westcott Space Cluster welcomed the Minister for Science, Research and Innovation, Andrew Griffith MP on 27 March, to witness the incredible innovative work being done around space propulsion, satellites, drone technology and comms at the Westcott Venture Park and Enterprise Zone.  Following an invite from Buckingham MP Greg Smith, the visit was arranged to highlight the importance of the Westcott Space Cluster and Enterprise Zone as an important research & development testing facility and integral component of the UK Space Infrastructure.   The visit provided the opportunity for the Minister to visit a number of the testing facilities and [...]

Aspiring space engineers kickstarted their careers in the aerospace industry at a special competition held at Westcott Venture Park on March 26th and 27th. Divided into 29 teams, 170 students between the ages of 14 and 18 gathered at Westcott to participate in the CanSat competition, organised by ESERO-UK (European Space Education Resource Office, UK). The competition aimed to provide students with hands-on experience in working on a small-scale space project. Participants were tasked with designing their own mini satellite, fitting it with essential subsystems like power, sensors, and a communication system, all within the size of a soft [...]

Business is taking off for thriving heating and engineering company Optec Group after it joined a special networking platform. Optec is now signed up to the Space Cluster group which holds monthly meetings for firms based at Westcott Venture Park. While many of firms are focused on rocket engineering and space technology, Optec has found the group offers plenty of opportunities for its business which offers a range of services including air conditioning, heating and electrical work specialising in renewable and energy-efficient products. Managing Director Rob Armitage said: “We were introduced to the Westcott Space Cluster meetings by the [...]

“The UK Space Agencies announcement of a further £2m investment into the In-Orbit Servicing and Manufacturing facilities within the Westcott Space Cluster is excellent news and a clear endorsement of the vital role both Westcott and the UK are looking to play in improving sustainability in satellite usage and maintenance.” “The In-Orbit Servicing and Manufacturing facilities at Westcott, originally supported by investment by the Buckinghamshire Local Enterprise Partnership working in partnership with the Satellite Applications Catapult to deliver the Government’s Getting Building Fund, has proved to be a great success with a growing international client base utilising the unique [...]

Satellite Applications Catapult (SAC) showcased the Space Placements in Industry (SPIN) programme at the Westcott Engage networking event, attended by Westcott Space Cluster businesses. The main aim of this initiative is to address the skills gap within the UK Space sector. The UK Space Agency (UKSA) has reported that more than half of the businesses in the industry are experiencing a shortage of skilled professionals, which is adversely affecting their performance and growth. Recognising the immense potential of the global space sector and the UK's position as a hub of technological engineering and innovation, urgent action is required to [...]

European Astrotech (EAL), a company specialising in engineering, technical, and advisory support to the space propulsion industry, is poised for a remarkable year of business. The company concluded 2023 on a high note with the successful SARah 2 and 3 launch campaign. The spacecrafts underwent successful pressure testing and fuelling during the first week of December, leading to a momentous launch on December 24th from the SpaceX facility at the Vandenberg Space Force base in California. 2024 is set to be a record year of business for EAL for both propulsion launch campaigns and the growth of its Centre [...]

Lunaz has announced plans to double its workforce at its Silverstone Park HQ from 175 to 350 people by the middle of 2025. Founder David Lorenz made the announcement during a visit to the company’s industrial premises by Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer. “Known as one of the UK’s fastest growing clean-tech companies, I can show that we (Lunaz) show no signs of slowing,” commented David. “Today, we can confirm our robust roadmap to double the number of skilled clean-tech jobs by the middle of 2025 (from 175 to 350 people), affirming our commitment to the UK and Silverstone Park [...]

Drone Navigation Software developers Flare Bright, based in the Westcott Space Cluster at Westcott Venture Park, has been making waves in the industry with its ground breaking innovations. The company's remarkable growth and success have caught the attention of the Government, which recently published an article highlighting Flare Bright's tremendous achievements. One of the key factors contributing to Flare Bright's success is its software-enhanced Inertial Navigation System (INS), which addresses the challenge of operating drones without GPS. With initial funding from the Defence And Security Accelerator (DASA), Flare Bright has secured contracts from leading aerospace companies in the UK. [...]

Rapid expansion at a long-established business specialising in spacecraft rocket engine and propulsion systems manufacturing and testing has prompted a move to state-of-the-art premises. Nammo has continued to be based at Westcott Venture Park but relocated to a new UK HQ at Building 6040 within the Buckinghamshire Local Enterprise Zone. The 18,200 sq ft manufacturing and production space is situated on the former solid rocket motor testing area of Westcott and was the first building to be developed within the allocated Enterprise Zone area of the Park. Nammo has undertaken an extensive fit-out of their new building to incorporate a clean room [...]