King Charles launches new space initiative at Harwell campus

Harwell Science and Innovation Campus is the UK’s largest space cluster, and the gateway will be a dedicated hub for the space and defence sectors, driving national and global collaboration between government, the academic world, and industry.

It will focus on linking innovation to investment, building partnerships to shape tomorrow’s space and defence economy, and helping businesses to sustainably start and grow in the UK.

READ MORE: The King visits Oxford University college

The gateway will be based in a new co-working and events space at the heart of the Harwell Space Cluster.

Following the launch, King Charles said to staff based at the campus: “I congratulate you for all your efforts and look forward to seeing all the developments that take place here over the years.”

Among the guests at the campus for the launch was British astronaut Tim Peake, who has visited the International Space Station.

British astronaut Tim Peake with King Charles (Image: Andy Ffrench)

For more than 60 years RAL (Rutherford Appleton Laboratory) Space has provided the specialist expertise that underpins space applications around the world, including earth observation work that supports action on climate change, biodiversity loss, and resilience to environmental change.

It has contributed to more than 200 instruments in space and has played a key role in establishing the UK as a competitive force in the global space economy.

King Charles at Harwell science and innovation campus (Image: Andy Ffrench)

Space minister Liz Lloyd, who attended the visit, said: “The opening of the Space and Defence Gateway is a significant moment for the UK’s space sector, and His Majesty The King’s visit to Harwell underlines the vital contribution this cluster makes to our economy.”

RAL Space is one of the anchor organisations of the Harwell Space Cluster and a cornerstone of the UK’s space sector.

British astronaut Tim Peake with European Space Agency astronauts and space minister Liz Lloyd (Image: Andy Ffrench)

The cluster is Europe’s largest concentration of space organisations, supporting more than 120 public and private organisations, alongside more than 330 defence and security organisations.

Dr Barbara Ghinelli, director of Innovation Clusters and Harwell Campus, said: “I look forward to working alongside our partners in the gateway across the UK and internationally to help our businesses thrive while making a real difference to the world.”

Earlier in the day, the King was in Oxford, visiting the new Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities, and Oriel College, which is celebrating its 700th anniversary.