SPACE
In 2022 , Professor Amara realised that the need was so vast that something had to be done to provide broader access to ICG ’ s expertise in data analytics .
The ICG Innovation Hub
Outside parties can now work directly with ICG scientists on data-related challenges through the newly launched ICG Innovation Hub , which is led by Dr Lundgren . The hub was created by restructuring the ICG workplace to allow staff the flexibility to undertake consulting work while retaining roles on astronomy projects .
The hub also offers students training opportunities or , as Professor Amara puts it , “ We train you in data analytics on astronomy projects until you are poached by big tech companies .”
The aim is for mutually beneficial engagements , in which the astronomy work progresses while helping to meet the world ’ s data analytics challenges and increase the pool of talented , data-literate professionals .
From Big Bang to innovation booms
The University of Portsmouth is situated in the UK ’ s Solent region , which is home to the largest number of space companies ( 460 ) of any region – 24 per cent of the UK total – and a thriving entrepreneurial culture of space-science start-ups .
This is the same region that once hosted the High Down rocket test site on the Isle of Wight . In the 1950s and 1960s , it was used to test the Black Knight and Black Arrow that carried the Prospero satellite into orbit .
The UK derives over £ 16.4 billion in gross domestic product from space-related industries , while satellite services add an additional £ 360 billion in economic activity .
The UK Government now wants to see space ’ s share of the economy grow and is doubling its investment by 2030 with the intent of doubling the UK ’ s share of the global space sector ( from five to ten per cent ).
The University of Portsmouth already has strategies in place to help achieve those goals , especially within the Solent ’ s advanced spaceindustry ecology .
12 ISSUE 04 / 2022