Understanding Glasgow's Space Tech Sector
A Full-Spectrum Force in the Space Economy
What is the Space Economy Value Chain?
Glasgow has rapidly emerged as a European powerhouse in the space industry, transforming to a future defined by satellite innovation and data intelligence. With a unique end-to-end capability across the space value chain, the city is now a critical node in the UK and global space economy.
Upstream
Building the Future in Orbit
Glasgow leads Europe in small satellite manufacturing, producing more satellites than any other city on the continent. Companies like AAC Clyde Space and Alba Orbital are pioneering the design and production of CubeSats and PocketQubes, enabling affordable access to space for a wide range of missions. The proximity to SaxaVord Spaceport, further strengthens Glasgow’s upstream capabilities by offering a near-complete launch ecosystem within Scotland.
Midstream
Operating the Infrastructure
While less visible, Glasgow’s midstream capabilities are growing steadily. Ground systems, mission control, and satellite operations are supported by a network of academic institutions and private firms. These systems ensure that satellites are not only launched but also effectively managed throughout their lifecycle, enabling real-time responsiveness and mission success.
Downstream
Turning Data into Decisions
The downstream sector in Glasgow is thriving, driven by the explosion of data from Earth observation and communications satellites. Startups are leveraging satellite imagery to deliver actionable insights for industries ranging from urban planning to insurance. This data-driven economy is unlocking new commercial and societal value, from climate monitoring to infrastructure management.
Unlike a lot of other places where space clusters haven been set up, Glasgow already had momentum. Andrew Strain - CTO, AAC Clyde Space
Launch systems
Skyrora has become the first UK-based manufacturer to receive a launch licence for a commercial vehicle. Granted by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the licence allows Skyrora to launch its suborbital Skylark L rocket from a UK site - a major step toward end-to-end launch capability from British soil.
With a Glasgow HQ and a Cumbernauld manufacturing facility, the licence marks a key advancement in the UK’s National Space Strategy. With it, Skyrora can offer sovereign launch services tailored to government and commercial needs, strengthening Britain’s ability to access space independently.
Harder, better, faster, smaller
In recent years, satellite technology has undergone a dramatic transformation. Once the domain of billion-dollar government programmes and room-sized spacecraft, satellites are now smaller, smarter, and significantly cheaper to launch. This shift has been driven by the rise of small satellites, or “smallsats,” which include CubeSats and PocketQubes - compact, modular satellites that can be built and deployed at a fraction of traditional costs.
Their low manufacturing cost and compatibility with flexible launch services have enabled mass production and deployment in low-Earth orbit (LEO) constellations.
The cost of launching satellites has also plummeted, thanks to innovations in propulsion systems, digitised payloads, and additive manufacturing. This has opened the door for startups, universities, and even local governments to participate in space missions that were once prohibitively expensive.
CubeSats
CubeSats are typically built up from standard cubic units each measuring 10 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm – just a bit bigger than a Rubik’s cube. The number of units depends on the CubeSat’s mission, but tends to be between 2 and 16, resulting in a mass of just 3–32 kg. These little satellites have a fraction of the mass, and cost, of more traditional satellites.
AAC Clyde Space designs and manufactures advanced CubeSats from its Glasgow facility, including missions like PICASSO, a 3U satellite built for the European Space Agency to monitor ozone and ionospheric conditions.
Meanwhile, Spire Global operates one of the world’s largest CubeSat constellations from its Skypark base, deploying over 110 Lemur satellites for real-time data on weather, maritime traffic, and aviation.
PocketQube
Glasgow-based Alba Orbital is at the forefront of PocketQube-class pico-satellites - tiny spacecraft measuring just 5×5×5 cm per unit and weighing under 250 g. These “picosats” can be stacked into larger forms, enabling low-cost, rapid-access missions for Earth observation, communications, and technology demonstration.
Founded in 2012, Alba Orbital has grown from building prototypes in a bedroom to running a dedicated PocketQube factory in Glasgow. The company not only manufactures satellites but also provides the AlbaPod deployer and a full launch service, offering an end-to-end route from design to orbit at costs starting around €25k - dramatically lowering barriers to space access, which are typically deployed from SpaceX Falcon 9 rideshares.
Combined enterprise value of Glasgow's VC funded Space Tech startups
VC funding has been split almost equally between Upstream and Downstream startups since 2019
