The challenge

Wales has a growing space sector with strong research potential, yet fragmented R&D capabilities across universities have limited collaboration and strategic development.

The Wales Innovation Network (WIN), through the University of South Wales (USW), commissioned us to conduct a comprehensive review of space-related R&D capabilities in Wales and explore the need for a dedicated consortium to support future research collaboration, funding access, and innovation opportunities.

Why it’s important

The space sector is a key driver of technological advancement, economic growth, and national security. In Wales, aligning space research with broader UK and international strategies is crucial to unlocking funding, attracting investment, and fostering cross-sector innovation.

The UK Government’s National Space Strategy and the Welsh Government’s Innovation Strategy both highlight the importance of research excellence and industry collaboration in building a competitive and sustainable space sector.

A well-coordinated space R&D consortium would enable Wales to capitalise on these strategic opportunities, positioning the country as a key player in the global space economy.

Our approach

We undertook a structured research process to establish a clear picture of Wales’ space research landscape, identify gaps, and provide a roadmap for future development. Our approach included:

• Stakeholder Engagement: Engaged with key networks, industrial representatives, and public bodies such as the Satellite Applications Catapult and Welsh Government to understand the sector’s ambitions and policy environment.
• Sector Mapping: Profiled the full spectrum of upstream, midstream, and downstream activities contributing to space-related technology applications.
• University Capabilities Audit: Conducted structured research visits across all eight Welsh universities and select private sector research facilities, identifying 65 active or adjacent research assets.
• Barriers & Needs Assessment: Facilitated workshops and one-on-one interviews to uncover barriers to collaborative research and define the needs of space researchers in Wales.
• Consortia Benchmarking: Evaluated 22 existing R&D consortia, identifying best practices and value propositions that could inform a potential Welsh space research consortium.

The outcome

Our findings demonstrated a strong case for the establishment of a dedicated R&D consortium to support space researchers in Wales. Key outputs included:

• A comprehensive database of space-related research capabilities across Welsh universities, enabling future collaboration and partnership opportunities.
• A categorised needs assessment identifying barriers to research and collaboration, helping shape an effective support structure.
• An options appraisal outlining potential models for a research consortium, with a preferred option focused on creating innovation opportunities, enabling collaboration, and maintaining the profile of Welsh space R&D.
• Strategic recommendations for structuring and funding the consortium, ensuring its long-term viability and alignment with sector priorities.

Impact

Our work provided a robust evidence base to support the creation of a formal space R&D consortium. The Wales Innovation Network and positioned its members to develop a funding bid or business case when an appropriate opportunity arises, setting the stage for Wales to become a leader in space research and innovation.

How Urban Foresight can help you

Urban Foresight has extensive experience in assessing research capabilities, shaping collaborative ecosystems, and developing commercial and strategic cases for investment. Whether you are looking to map sector capabilities, design innovation support structures, or create compelling business cases for funding, our expertise ensures impactful, evidence-based solutions. Get in touch at hello@urbanforesight.com to explore how we can support your organisation in unlocking new opportunities for research and innovation.