Space
Scotland’s reputation as an important player in the international space industry is strengthened by our aptitude for small satellite manufacturing, data analysis and earth observation. Discover why more than 8500 people are taking their space career to new heights in leading global businesses across the country.
The space sector in Scotland
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8,500 people in Scotland
have a career in the space.
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Scotland employs 18% of all space roles
that's more people in the space sector than anywhere else in the UK.
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£4 billion by 2030
Scotland aims to quadruple development within the decade.
Scotland’s space leadership
Scotland has the UK's fastest-growing space sector. From initiating the use of radar to discovering the composition of Saturn’s rings, we’re also accustomed to being first. We’re doing it by:
- Developing Europe's first orbital spaceport
- Building more satellites than anywhere else in Europe
- Planning to grow to a £4 billion space industry by 2030
- Employing 18% of all UK space roles — double Scotland’s share of the UK’s population (9%)
Your skills are in demand
Our climate conscious approach to space means we’re generating jobs that are rewarding, green, and impactful. There are opportunities to build expertise in disciplines such as design, testing, manufacturing, and launching small satellites and vehicles.
Explore roles in Scotland's space sector
We’re consistently breaking new ground, so whatever your passion, and however niche your expertise, you’ll find a home for it in Scotland.
Scotland’s space sector employers
Scotland is home to more than 130 companies operating in space. They include:
- Spire – satellite and data analytics
- Ecometrica opens in a new window – space tech focused on monitoring climate issues
- Orbex opens in a new window – orbital services, including low carbon launch vehicles that use renewable fuel
- Skyrora opens in a new window – launch vehicle technology
- AAC Clyde Space – advanced nanosatellite spacecraft and mission services
- Astrosat opens in a new window – space services and management
- Alba Orbital opens in a new window – satellite design and build
- STAR-Dundee opens in a new window – aerospace engineering
- Zonda Satellite opens in a new window
Find more space employers based in Scotland opens in a new window
Spaceport pioneers
- Scotland is set to host the UK’s first vertical spaceports, launching rockets and satellites directly into space
- Two sites in Sutherland opens in a new window and Shetland opens in a new window are being developed by British launch company Orbex and US aerospace giant Lockheed Martin opens in a new window
- These sites have been awarded £29 million in funding to develop launch operations from Scotland
- A third potential vertical launch site is on North Uist in the Western Isles
- Scotland also has potential horizontal launch sites at Prestwick opens in a new window in Ayrshire and Machrihanish in Argyll
- £80 million is being invested to develop Prestwick as an area of excellence for space and aerospace, supporting ambitions to establish a horizontal space launch facility
How Scotland supports space
Scotland’s culture of creativity, innovation and research is built on collaboration. When you work in Scotland, you join a connected space community offering unique opportunities to work across industry and academia.
You’ll also benefit from active government support, funding, and progressive policies. These include 2021 spaceflight regulations that allow the UK to be the first European country to launch spacecraft and satellites from home soil.
When it comes to advancing your space career in Scotland, the opportunities span the entire sector. You can work in dynamic areas including fundamental and applied research, system design and spacecraft manufacture, launch and operations, and data processing and service provision.
You can also take your career further in related fields like manufacturing and aerospace, engineering (especially software engineering). Or you can transfer your skills in other thriving specialisms like AI and Data.
Two people observe the space exhibit at Glasgow Science Centre
Space at a glance
Scotland’s fast-growing space sector is built on broad expertise and experience in defence, electronics, aerospace, geospatial science, geophysics, subsea oil, and gas engineering.
Just as importantly, steady funding and investment continues to increase job opportunities in exciting projects. Just two examples include:
- A £29 million investment in developing launch operations from Scotland £29 million invested
- A £23 million investment to expand Prestwick as a growing centre of excellence for space and aerospace
Scotland is a powerhouse for small satellite manufacturers. In fact, we’re on target to become the leading small satellite launch market in Europe.
The UK is also one of the founding members of the European Space Agency (ESA). This broadens your scope to be part of space programmes and activities throughout Europe and beyond.
Scotland’s outstanding record of industry and academic engagement is supported by 19 world-class universities and higher education institutions. From propulsion and space radiation to orbital dynamics and advanced materials, Scotland is the place to build a career in space innovation.
Innovative and highly collaborative
Industries, innovation centres and universities work together in Scotland in a highly collaborative environment. Projects include:
- Scottish Space Leadership Council opens in a new window – the official home of Scotland’s space sector, dedicated to promoting collaboration and commercial opportunities
- The replacement Hubble telescope – James Webb Space Telescope opens in a new window – is being developed with the expertise of Edinburgh’s UK Astronomy Technology Centre opens in a new window – a European Space Agency opens in a new window and UK Space Agency opens in a new window incubator
- University of Glasgow opens in a new window is contributing to the Europe-wide Laser Interferometer Space Antennaopens in a new window (LISA) project, the first ever space-based gravitational wave observatory, expected to launch in 2034
- University of Dundee's Space Technology Centreexternal link which will open in a new window opens in a new window is involved in leading research including data handling onboard of spacecraft, planetary lander technology and satellite data reception
- University of Edinburgh and Ecometrica are involved in Forests 2020 - a satellite data project to help protect and restore up to 300 million hectares of tropical forests
- Higgs Centre for Innovation opens in a new window at the Royal Observatory Edinburgh is a business-focused facility that supports start-ups and SMEs working in the satellite, space and data-intensive sectors
Quality of life
Scotland has lots to offer outside of work.
Wherever you decide to work in Scotland, you’ll discover welcoming communities, rich history and vibrant culture. Enjoy shorter commutes, world-class education, free healthcare, and plenty of green space on your doorstep.
Building a career in Scotland comes at a lower cost of living than many other major locations. You’ll benefit from flexibility for hybrid and remote working while being fully supported by reliable digital connectivity.
As one of the best-connected places in Europe, Scotland has six airports with daily direct flights to 150 destinations worldwide. We also have fast and frequent rail links to all parts of the UK.
Moving to Scotland: the practicalities
We welcome people from around the world to build exceptional careers across Scotland.
Learn more about moving to Scotland on Scotland.org opens in a new window