NI SPACE

08/09/2026

The UK's space sector underpins vital civil and defence capabilities, from precision timing for financial services to navigation for transport, while new businesses continue to emerge, including some using space technology to transform manufacturing here on Earth. The UK is a global leader in the fast-growing space economy.

The newly released UK National Space Strategy sets out "a single cross-government approach to space, bringing civil, commercial, scientific, regulatory, security and defence objectives and activity into a new one-government framework." It's backed by more than £7.8 billion in investment to 2030, with clear UK objectives out to 2035.

NI SPACE, working with industry, academic, and public and private sector colleagues across the UK's Space Cluster network, stands ready to help deliver on this strategy.

Get in touch to learn more about how NI SPACE is working with cluster colleagues to support our shared ambition.

Space for All. Space to Lead. Space for Growth.

Read the full strategy here:

New UK space strategy to bring government's investment and activity under one plan to drive growth, strengthen security and back everyday technologies

04/09/2026

𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀

ESA - European Space Agency’s Wildfire Preparedness funding call is now open.

We’re encouraging businesses across Northern Ireland to consider how their expertise could help reduce wildfire risk using satellite data or technology.

The call supports proof-of-concept studies and pilot projects focused on:

🔵Wildfire risk assessment
🔵Managing vegetation that could fuel fires
🔵Prevention, adaptation and resilience

Could satellite data or technology support your next project?

To learn about eligibility and potential funding of 50–80% of project costs, join ESA’s introductory webinar on:

📅Wednesday 30th September
🕒10 – 11am
🔗https://shorturl.at/tbuFE

22/07/2026

A landmark day for the Northern Ireland space sector at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026!

NI SPACE was proud to meet with Dr Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the ESA - European Space Agency, to discuss how Northern Ireland's growing space capabilities can contribute to Europe's ambitions in orbit and beyond.

We were also delighted to be joined by deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly as we presented the MATRIX report — a clear signal of the strategic importance this sector holds for our economy, and the scale of opportunity ahead for NI businesses.

Elsewhere on the show floor, ESA astronaut Dr Rosemary Coogan visited the Invest Northern Ireland stand to meet with local businesses — a brilliant moment of inspiration for the companies driving NI's space ambitions forward.

The day continued with a further meeting between the deputy First Minister and Rebecca Evernden, Director of the UK Space Agency, reinforcing the strength of the partnership between Northern Ireland and the UK's national space efforts.

Northern Ireland is fast becoming a serious player in the global space economy — from advanced manufacturing and satellite technology to data and Earth observation. Days like today show what's possible when government, agencies and industry come together with a shared ambition.

The future of NI space is bright.

10/07/2026

𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝘄𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗱𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
We are pleased to share the Digital Twin Adoption Accelerator Programme 2026, a strong opportunity for SMEs working in or around the space sector.

The programme offers up to £100,000 in Innovate UK grant funding for successful projects.

Delivered by Digital Catapult, the nine-month programme will support partnerships between UK technology SMEs and industry adopters.

The aim is to develop proof-of-concept digital twin solutions that tackle real-world adoption challenges across sectors, including:

🔵Space
🔵Aerospace
🔵Maritime
🔵Agri-tech
🔵Automotive
🔵Clean energy
🔵Creative industries
🔵Life sciences.

Alongside the £100,000 funding, successful partnerships will receive technical expertise, mentoring and access to specialist support to help accelerate the development and deployment of their solutions.

Applications close on 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝟲 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.

Find out more and apply: https://digicat.org.uk/3Tp3v7p

For questions, contact: [email protected]

03/07/2026

𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗣𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗜𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱

We’re pleased to share a new article from Eurisy following the Unlocking Space conference in Belfast.

NI SPACE co-organised the event alongside Eurisy and Matrix The Northern Ireland Science Industry Panel, bringing together leaders from government, industry, academia and investment to explore how space technologies can drive economic growth, enable public-sector transformation and foster cross-sector collaboration.

A highlight was a keynote address from Northern Ireland’s deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly, who highlighted the growing strategic importance of space:

“𝙎𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙜𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙥𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙮; 𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙩𝙤 𝙞𝙩.”

The article outlines four priorities for shaping Northern Ireland’s space strategy:
🔵 Advanced manufacturing
🔵 Public-sector transformation
🔵 Cyber resilience
🔵 Stronger European collaboration

Delegates also tackled the practical barriers holding the sector back — from clearer pathways into government and more agile procurement, to deeper collaboration between organisations.

Read the full article:
https://www.eurisy.eu/unlocking-the-full-potential-of-space-in-northern-ireland/

12/06/2026

📣𝗜𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗨 𝗖𝘆𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝘁?

We’re pleased to share that NI Cyber is hosting an interactive workshop with A&L Goodbody LLP and INSTART Group consult for companies that manufacture and ship hardware or software products within the scope of the EU Cyber Resilience Act.

The session will feature insights from Enrico Engel from Digital Werk, Keith Dunn from A&L Goodbody, and Markus Christian from INSTART Group.

The workshop will focus on the practical side of managing software components and dependencies, looking at security, compliance, governance and long term maintainability.

Participants will discuss:
🔵 Why SBOMs and scans are not always enough
🔵What Security by Design and Data Protection by Design and by Default mean in practice
🔵How to build structured and auditable OSS processes

The workshop is aimed at Product Owners, Product Managers, Software Architects, CISOs, Information Security Officers, Compliance and GRC professionals and organisations working across industrial environments, critical infrastructure, cloud services, cybersecurity and digital product development.

📆Wednesday 17 June
🕒9am to 12pm
📍A&L Goodbody LLP, Fountain Street, Belfast

Places are limited! Register today:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-cyber-resilience-act-are-you-really-ready-tickets-1990982956619?aff=oddtdtcreator

05/06/2026

𝗡𝗜 𝗦𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗘 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗽ė𝗱𝗮, 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝗵𝘂𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮

We at NI SPACE were proud to sponsor Science on Stage Europe 2026 in Klaipėda, Lithuania, supporting an event that brings science teachers from across Europe together to share practical STEM teaching ideas.

Held from 28 to 31 May at Klaipeda University on the Baltic Coast, this year’s event opened with His Excellency Gitanas Nausėda, President of Lithuania, in attendance.

The event welcomed 450 primary and secondary school teachers from across Europe, who shared STEM ideas through stands, workshops and highlight sessions. Those taking part had been selected through national events held across more than 30 countries in 2025.

We at NI SPACE know how important teachers are in helping young people stay curious about science and technology, and in encouraging future STEM careers.

We were pleased to support the event and to see the Irish delegation take part on a European stage.

The Irish Delegation 2026 included:

🔵Eilish McLoughlin from School of Physical Sciences and CASTeL, DCU - Dublin City University, Chair of Science on Stage Ireland NSC
🔵Paul Nugent from Santa Sabina, IOPI Education Coach, Co-chair of Science on Stage Ireland NSC and Science on Stage Board Member
🔵Jane Shimizu from Scoil Chaitríona Junior, Galway, Science on Stage European Ambassador
🔵Máire Duffy from Clonkeen College, Member of Science on Stage Ireland NSC
🔵Maram Al Naimat from Coláiste na Ríochta in Listowel, Co. Kerry, who presented her project, “Escape Room: The Silent Killer – Understanding Radon and Its Environmental Effects as a Geohazard”
🔵Anne Brennan from Ballinakill Mixed National School in Co. Laois, who presented her project, “STEM in the Field: Exploring Biodiversity on Our Doorstep”
🔵Mary Frawley from Laurel Hill Secondary School FCJ in Co. Limerick, who presented her project, “Wavy Edges: Science and Maths with Crochet”
🔵Daithí Mac Giolla Phádraig from Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada, Lucan, Co. Dublin
🔵Sharon Quigley from Holy Child Killiney, Co. Dublin
🔵David Hobson, retired from Loreto College, St. Stephen’s Green, Co. Dublin

Well done to everyone involved!

🌐https://nispace.org/

22/05/2026

𝗡𝗜 𝗦𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗘 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗á𝗶𝗹

This week, our NI SPACE Cluster Manager Robert Hill attended a meeting at the Dáil in Dublin, to discuss shared island opportunities in the space sector.

Robert joined industry colleagues, Nick Laird from Shorts, a Boeing Company, Cormac Devlin TD and Alex Burghart MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, for discussions on how space can support public sector transformation and strengthen cross-border ESA activity.

Thank you to Frank Shivers from Anglo-Irish Friendship for coordinating the meeting, and to Cormac Devlin TD and Minister Frank Feighan for the warm welcome and productive discussions.

🌐https://nispace.org/

13/05/2026

Our Education Manager, David Fearon, was delighted to meet with Ruairí McHugh, the Mayor of Derry City & Strabane District, this week to discuss NI SPACE’s work to inspire the next generation of talent for the local space industry.

Enjoyed meeting with David Fearon Education Manager of NI Space to discuss the array of opportunities in the space industry here. 🔭🪐

David presents an interactive 3D show on space & the universe.

wants to inspire future generations into a pipeline of talent for local industry. 👏

11/05/2026

𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗜𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱’𝘀 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘂𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗱

Building on Northern Ireland’s strong advanced manufacturing and engineering base, initiatives like the recent 𝗡𝗜 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲 are unlocking new pathways into the global space market. Brendan McGuigan, Director of Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering, Invest Northern Ireland, commented:

“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘐 𝘚𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘮𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘦𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦: 𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘮𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘭 𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘕𝘐 𝘚𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘐𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘕𝘐, 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘜𝘒 𝘚𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘈𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘺 𝘧𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘕𝘐 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮.

“𝘐𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘶𝘺𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘭 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺.”

If you are interested in finding out more about the space sector in Northern Ireland, visit: https://nispace.org/

UK Space Agency, ADS Group Ltd, Invest Northern Ireland, Queen's University Belfast, Matrix, The Northern Ireland Science Industry Panel, British Interplanetary Society, Stem Ambassadors Northern Ireland, STEM Learning UK, Space Professionals Partnership Ltd, Irish Space Association, ESA - European Space Agency