Ambitious 10-year vision for ESA’s facility in the UK

The joint plan – set out in this brochure – will shape the future of ESA’s European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications (ECSAT), building on its excellent achievements and unique attributes to unlock its huge potential over the next 10 years and beyond.

ECSAT, located at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire, was inaugurated in 2015 with a remit to advance satellite-enabled telecommunications and accelerate the use of space technology in everyday life.

It has grown to include teams working to tackle climate change, develop technologies and build skills for exploration, and pioneer advanced manufacturing techniques for future space missions.

The site has also established itself as a key contributor to the collaborative ethos at Harwell campus, which hosts a continuously growing community of public and private enterprises – from start-ups to global organisations.

In the past nine years, ECSAT has helped dozens of companies from across the economy use space to develop products and services that improve life on Earth.

Earth observation teams ECSAT, working with experts around the world, have made vital contributions to global assessments of climate change that guide the international response to the climate crisis.

Several centres for research and innovation have been created in collaboration with the UK Space Agency, including ESA’s 5G/6G Hub.

The 10-year development project will build on these successes to grow the ECSAT workforce and expand the capabilities of the establishment.

The project will reinforce the work currently being carried out at ECSAT, with a special focus on satellite telecommunications, as well as broadening ECSAT’s scope to include innovative multi-disciplinary projects – as already exemplified by the Moonlight programme, which will soon be led from ECSAT.

It will also capitalise on the unique environment of the Harwell campus and the wider UK research, technology and financial ecosystems, for the benefit of European citizens.

Josef Aschbacher, ESA’s Director General, said: “ECSAT is ESA’s home in the UK and a vital facility for ESA’s overall space ambitions. Together with the UK Space Agency we want to build on ECSAT’s leadership role in commercial space applications and telecommunications, push forward new initiatives in high-growth areas, deliver better services to all European citizens, and grow our UK-based workforce to 200 people by 2030. 

“I’ve enjoyed the Farnborough international airshow and met with many current and potential future partners with whom we will work to make this shared vision a reality.”

Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said: “As a founding member of the ESA, UK scientists and engineers contribute to global scientific and commercial space endeavours, furthering human knowledge and bringing the benefits of space technologies to citizens on Earth. 

“Together with ESA, we believe there is vast potential to build on the success of the ECSAT facility in Harwell, to support even more businesses, accelerate the development of new technologies and take advantage of the UK’s wider strengths in science and innovation. 

“As space is a growing industry, we are also taking concrete steps to improve the availability of dedicated training programmes, which will help address skills gaps identified by the sector.”

Laurent Jaffart, ESA’s Director of Connectivity and Secure Communications and Head of ECSAT, said: “Together with the UK Space Agency, ESA is committed to building on ECSAT’s impressive track record to strengthen the establishment and expand its future responsibilities.

“A key element of this plan is to boost collaboration between ESA and UK industry, universities and research institutions, for the benefit of all ESA member states.”