The Satellite Applications Catapult is an independent innovation and technology company, created to foster growth across the economy through the exploitation of space. We help organisations make use of and benefit from satellite technologies, and bring together multi-disciplinary teams to generate ideas and solutions in an open innovation environment.
Based in Harwell, near Didcot, the Catapult was established in May 2013 by Innovate UK (formerly known as the Technology Strategy Board) as one of a network of centres to accelerate the take-up of emerging technologies and drive economic growth. We are a not-for-profit research organisation which is registered as a private company limited by guarantee and controlled by its Board.
Our Role in the Space Sector
The UK Space sector is increasingly recognised for its significant contribution to the UK economy. This follows a decade of sustained growth of approximately 9% year-on-year, underpinned by a broad commitment to excellence and innovation. The UK already commands a 7% share of the global space market, and has ambitions to increase this to 10% as the global market swells to a predicted value of £400 billion by 2030.