Space and aerospace tech

When it comes to space technologies, space agencies, organisations and companies across the world continue to be supported by international, national and local governments. In a drive to bring space tech developments to downstream users, the EU’s space programme agency (EUSPA) is offering funding to qualifying businesses and research programmes. This helps Europe keep up with the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, where space tech enterprise is booming on the back of private company investment, and a 2022 Singapore government investment fund of $150million for space tech research and development (R&D).

Recent billionaire tourism and luxe travel aside, space innovation has introduced humankind to mine clearance, heart health tech, water purification and LEDs, among countless other things. Despite decades of experience, it is still a high-risk and complex field as illustrated when Spaceport Cornwall kicked 2023 off with a failed attempt to launch its first payload of satellites. Looking at the positives though, not only do space tech programmes contribute to knowledge and innovation, in Cornwall alone it has boosted the local economy by £200m annually. Seen by many as just a tourist region, Cornwall does boast a long track record for leading innovation –the first wireless signal was sent by Marconi from Poldhu in 1901.

Watch aeronautical research and developments go mainstream in 2023, as the quest for truly decarbonised air travel ramps up. Electric and hybrid aerospace tech and automation projects have already led to efficiency reductions in water and energy usage. The next Marconi moment could be one step away.