The METEOR Programme (Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology and Earth Observation Research Centre) is a world-class hub for space research and innovation, run out of Space Park Leicester. Designed to bridge academia and industry, METEOR provides a cutting-edge facility, tech cluster, and enterprise zone, fostering collaboration in space R&D.
A Centre for Space 4.0 Innovation
METEOR takes an end-to-end approach to tackling the primary research challenges of Space 4.0, driving advancements in satellite technology, Earth observation, and manufacturing. The centre brings together over 100 researchers and industry experts, working in state-of-the-art facilities, including:
- Laboratories & clean rooms
- Workshops & offices
- Concurrent design studio
- Virtual and augmented reality
- Teaching & business co-location spaces
Earth Observation at the Core of METEOR
Earth Observation (EO) is a central theme within METEOR, driving research and innovation in data applications, services, and businesses. The programme supports new methods, processes, and technologies to enhance the leverage of satellite-derived data from EO satellites. METEOR fosters synergy between Earth Observation research, spacecraft and payload design, and datasets, leading to cutting-edge EO products and services.
Key focus areas include:
- Climate, urban services, and transport – Enhancing air quality monitoring, health insights, and urban development planning.
- Food security and forestry – Leveraging high-resolution commercial satellite imagery to automate agricultural monitoring and detect illegal logging.
- Space situational awareness & disaster management – Developing new methods for monitoring and mitigating risks using space and proxy data.
- Maritime domain awareness – Monitoring maritime environments across different wavelengths and resolutions for security and commercialisation.
- Infrastructure monitoring – Using data synthesis from space assets and local observations to assess and predict infrastructure health.
Investment & Strategic Partnerships
The METEOR programme is supported by major investments, including £13.75M from Research England via the UK Research Partnership Investment Fund (UKRPIF), contributing to an additional 5,000m² of research and innovation facilities at Space Park Leicester. This funding strengthens the region’s expertise in space-enabled data, skills development, and low-cost satellite access.
Beyond government funding, METEOR has secured an additional £27.5M in co-investment from a consortium of industry partners, through both capital and in-kind contributions, including research funding, staff time, facility access, data, software licenses, and cloud computing resources.
Industry Collaboration & Growth
In 2024, Photonis invested £1M into the programme to support the development of a Centre of Excellence in Optics Design and Manufacturing, further enhancing Space Park Leicester’s global leadership in space research.
Get Involved
The METEOR programme is continuously evolving, bringing together the brightest minds in academia and industry to tackle the challenges of tomorrow.
To find out more, please contact the METEOR Programme Manager, Dr Stephen Wright.