UK space investment soars, creating jobs & educational prospects

The United Kingdom's investment in its space sector has spurred opportunities for innovation and education, according to recent research by ETL Systems.

The study analysed space investment and job availability in G20 countries, revealing that the UK ranks seventh for space sector employment, with nearly 49,000 individuals working in the industry. Since 1990, the UK's investment in space has surged by 435%, underscoring significant growth beyond just funding missions, including job creation and educational prospects.

The research shows the UK increased its space sector investment from $271 million in 1990 to $1.45 billion in 2023. This represents a 453% increase, with substantial contributions to international space exploration initiatives, such as the ExoMars mission, to which the UK contributed nearly EUR €300 million in 2022.

In contrast, the United States leads in space investment, spending an average of $73.2 billion in 2023. China and Japan follow with 2023 investments of $14.15 billion and $4.65 billion, respectively. The US also ranks first in terms of job availability, offering over 360,000 space-related jobs in 2023, highlighting a correlation between high investment levels and workforce expansion.

The report underscores that investment in the space sector extends beyond funding exploratory missions. Such investment fosters a dynamic ecosystem that supports economic growth, innovation, and crucial educational opportunities.

Joanna Gower, Director of HR, People and Culture at ETL Systems, commented, "Space investment is more than just about funding missions; it's about creating a robust ecosystem that drives innovation, supports economic growth, and inspires future generations. The UK's strategic approach to space not only emphasises its position on the global stage but also ensures that we are equipped to tackle the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow."

She added insights into the challenges of entering the engineering sector, outlining that many university courses require high A-level grades and focus more on theory than practical skills. This results in graduate engineers spending initial working years acquiring vital skills they ought to have learned academically.

"To support the future generation, we are a founding sponsor of the future engineering university in Hereford, the New Model in Technology and Engineering (NMiTE), which works to address the skills gaps. Our internship and summer programmes at ETL Systems can also offer students, and recent graduates, the opportunity to gain valuable experience in space-related fields, including engineering, data analysis, and systems integration," Gower stated.

Peter Metcalfe, Associate Professor and Academic Lead for Curriculum Partners at NMITE, remarked, "The space sector is not made up solely of professionals who excel at maths, chemistry and physics; all students bring their inherent strengths. Our role, as STEM professionals, is to focus our efforts on shaping their abilities to meet the demands of the industry."

He advocated for increased investment to broaden STEM opportunities, suggesting reforms in university requirements and an increased focus on practical internships and apprenticeships.

In 2024, ETL Systems advanced its technology suite by launching the Digital Intermediate Frequency technology, which garnered nearly GBP £700,000 in funding from the UK Space Agency to further develop its DIGITAL 1000 product line.