The University of Surrey is set to build on its 45-year legacy in satellite innovation with the launch of the new Surrey Space Institute, reinforcing its role as a major force in the UK’s expanding space economy.

Based in Guildford, the new institute will leverage decades of research in satellite development and space engineering to support the UK’s ability to deliver complete space missions — from design and manufacturing to launch and operation. It also aims to become a key national hub for skills development in response to growing labour shortages in the £19 billion UK space sector.

Surrey: The small‑satellite powerhouse

Surrey has played a pioneering role in the space sector since the late 1970s, when a team of researchers at the University of Surrey – led by Professor Sir Martin Sweeting – developed UoSAT-1, one of the world’s first modern microsatellites. UoSAT-1 was a compact, reprogrammable spacecraft built using off-the-shelf components and launched by NASA in 1981. It far exceeded expectations, proving the viability of low-cost, small-satellite technology.

The success of UoSAT-1 led to the formation of Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) in 1985 – a university spinout that became one of the world’s leading small satellite manufacturers. Now part of the Airbus group, SSTL has launched more than 70 satellites and generated over £1 billion in export revenue.

Today, Surrey anchors the Space South Central cluster – a high-growth innovation corridor across Surrey and Hampshire with a £3 billion annual turnover, supporting over 12,000 high-tech jobs. The region continues to drive progress in commercial satellite deployment, scientific discovery, and advanced engineering.

A national commitment to space innovation

The Surrey Space Institute’s core mission is to enhance the UK’s ability to deliver end-to-end space missions, taking projects from concept through to operation.

Professor Adam Amara, inaugural Director (and UK Space Agency Chief Scientist), offers a clear vision:

“Space is no longer a frontier activity; it is already a critical national and international infrastructure underpinning everything from climate security to high-speed connectivity. By uniting Surrey’s 45‑year leadership in small satellites with cutting‑edge AI and cyber‑resilience, the Surrey Space Institute will give the UK the decisive capability it needs to stay ahead in the global space race and to solve complex problems at home and around the world.”

Professor Sir Martin Sweeting, founder of SSTL and a pioneering force in small satellites, reflected on the Institute’s significance:

“When we began work on small satellites more than four decades ago, few believed they could have any serious impact. Today, they’re central to how we explore and understand our world. The launch of the Surrey Space Institute is an exciting new chapter that captures that same entrepreneurial spirit … It also reflects a much bigger ambition – to shape how the UK delivers space‑based solutions to the challenges we face here on Earth.”

Research will focus on challenges of national and global significance, including:

• Climate monitoring and environmental resilience
• Cybersecurity for satellite infrastructure
• Legal and regulatory systems for deep-space activity

The institute also seeks to train up to 10% of the UK’s future space workforce, offering postgraduate education, practical mission experience, and access to cutting-edge laboratories and satellite testing facilities. This target will be pursued in collaboration with industry partners, government agencies, and professional bodies.

Skills vacuum threatens UK’s space ambitions

As the UK space sector scales rapidly, employers report mounting difficulty in filling specialist roles. Key areas facing severe skills shortages include:

• Satellite engineering and spacecraft systems
• AI and autonomous mission control
• Space law and compliance
• Secure satellite communications
• Mission planning and systems integration

Without focused action, these gaps could limit the UK’s capacity to compete globally, delaying missions, constraining innovation, and dampening investment. Experts now agree that investment in education, training, and recruitment partnerships is essential to unlocking the sector’s full potential.

Building the future of space, together

The launch of the Surrey Space Institute underscores the UK’s long-term commitment to innovation, workforce development, and leadership in the global space race.

Whether you’re building a high-performance team or preparing to launch your own space career, we can help you connect with the talent, expertise, and opportunities that will define the next frontier.

Contact us today to explore how we can support your mission.