A SPACE Cluster Partnership is looking at opportunities of how space can benefit this region.
South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) is part of the new collaborative, which brings together academia, earth observation companies and farmers, as well as Scottish Enterprise, Space Scotland and Space East.
Funded by the UK Space Agency, the partnership is committed to delivering real opportunities for the South of Scotland, focused on using data taken from space.
These opportunities are focussed on agricultural technology and delivering innovative technologies for peatland restoration and enhancing the region’s biodiversity.
The work builds on SOSE’s Space Strategy which was published last year to ensure space technology is used as a force for good locally.
The partnership held a series of cross-cluster workshops recently, to help collaboration between Scotland and the east of England.
The final workshop took place in Dumfries and has led to a number of space opportunities being taken forward for further development.
Chief executive of SOSE Jane Morrison-Ross, said: “The South of Scotland has a key role to play in supporting Scotland’s ambitions for capitalising on the space sector opportunities.
“As Scotland’s Natural Capital Innovation Zone, we are uniquely positioned to deliver significant investment opportunities and create new markets for our entrepreneurs and SMEs.
“The South of Scotland has huge expertise in agriculture, biodiversity, engineering, food and drink and textiles, all key areas of opportunity for us and for delivering the national Space Strategy.
“We will use this momentum to build a South of Scotland Space cluster with natural capital at its heart.”
Christina MacLeod, from Space Scotland, added: “The workshops have demonstrated how space technology can drive real impact beyond its traditional applications.
“By connecting experts from agriculture, water management, and natural capital with satellite data specialists, we have uncovered new ways to tackle practical challenges.
“The most exciting outcome has been seeing organisations outside the space sector articulate their challenges – then realising how satellite technology can provide solutions in ways they had not considered before.
“This is a pivotal moment for our growing space sector in Scotland, proving that by working together, we can deliver tangible benefits for industry, society, and the environment.”
Above: the Space Cluster Partnership at Easterbrook Hall in Dumfries
