Wales' New Space Strategy Could Boost Economy by £2bn

21st February 2022

SpaceShip: Image of forward section (bow) of a seaborne launch vessel that will be based at Port Talbot in south Wales. Credit: BlackSpaceArrow-twitter

In Wales there are plans to launch rockets at sea and build satellites that will act as mini-factories form part of a new strategy to boost the Principality's space industry.

The hope is the sector will bring in £2bn a year to the Welsh economy by 2030.

British astronaut Tim Peake said he was "delighted" by the proposals.

But one firm named in the Welsh government's strategy said other similar-sized countries were "doing an awful lot more, an awful lot quicker".

Space has been among the UK's fastest growing sectors in recent years, employing 42,000 people, of whom just 1% are based in Wales.

But ministers have claimed the country is well placed to become a "true haven for space industry innovation".

They said they wanted to put a particular focus on environmentally-friendly space enterprises.

Cardiff firm Space Forge is one example, as later this year it is set to launch an innovative reusable satellite into orbit.

About The Author

Jehan Ashmore

Email The Author

Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals.

We've got a favour to ask

More people are reading Afloat.ie than ever thanks to the power of the internet but we're in stormy seas because advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news sites, we haven’t put up a paywall because we want to keep our marine journalism open.

Afloat.ie is Ireland's only full–time marine journalism team and it takes time, money and hard work to produce our content.

So you can see why we need to ask for your help.

If everyone chipped in, we can enhance our coverage and our future would be more secure. You can help us through a small donation. Thank you.