SOSE unlocks further space industry opportunities for the South of Scotland
We are part of a new collaborative - the Space Cluster Partnership.
The partnership, funded by the UK Space Agency, brings together groups from academia, earth observation companies and farmers, with SOSE, Scottish Enterprise, Space Scotland and Space East.
The Space Cluster Partnership is committed to delivering real opportunities for the South of Scotland, focused on using data taken from space.
These opportunities are focussed on agricultural technology and delivering innovative technologies for peatland restoration and enhancing the region’s biodiversity.
The work builds on our Space Strategy which was published last year to ensure space technology is used as a force for good across the South of Scotland.
The partnership held a series of cross-cluster workshops recently, to help collaboration between Scotland and the east of England.
The final workshop took place in Dumfries and has led to a number of space opportunities being taken forward for further development.
Chief Executive of SOSE, Jane Morrison-Ross, said:
“The South of Scotland has a key role to play in supporting Scotland’s ambitions for capitalising on the space sector opportunities.
“As Scotland’s Natural Capital Innovation Zone, we are uniquely positioned to deliver significant investment opportunities and create new markets for our entrepreneurs and SMEs.
“The South of Scotland has huge expertise in agriculture, biodiversity, engineering, food and drink and textiles, all key areas of opportunity for us and for delivering the national Space Strategy.
“This partnership is a testament to the power of collaboration, and we will use this momentum to build a South of Scotland Space cluster with natural capital at its heart.”
Stuart Catchpole, Space Cluster Manager, Space East said:
“The cross-cluster workshops have been a fantastic learning experience for all involved, sharing knowledge of agricultural challenges across the regions and exploring collaborative opportunities to address them through space-enabled technologies.
“It has already catalysed collaborative projects and built a fantastic platform for future projects and a strong ongoing partnership between the east of England and the South of Scotland across space and adjacent sectors.”
Christina MacLeod, Cluster Development Project Manager from Space Scotland added:
"The workshops have demonstrated how space technology can drive real impact beyond its traditional applications.
“By connecting experts from agriculture, water management, and natural capital with satellite data specialists, we have uncovered new ways to tackle practical challenges.
“The most exciting outcome has been seeing organisations outside the space sector articulate their challenges - then realising how satellite technology can provide solutions in ways they had not considered before.
“Collaborating with partners in the east of England and South of Scotland Enterprise has reinforced the value of regional expertise, ensuring space-enabled solutions are both practical and locally relevant.
“This initiative has not only fostered innovation but also strengthened the connection between Scotland and East Anglia, unlocking new opportunities for businesses and communities.
“This is a pivotal moment for our growing space sector in Scotland, proving that by working together, we can deliver tangible benefits for industry, society, and the environment."