The University of Edinburgh is a specialist in space and communications.
Our researchers work in an extraordinary range of space-related activities: engineers are exploring the management of fire risk in space and developing rocket fuel pods; chemists are developing clean-burn rocket fuels; and astronomers are tracking the skies for space debris. We have teams developing deep-space probes, and others writing literature about space. Our geoscientists are training the next generation within SENSE, the UK's Centre for Doctoral Training in Earth Observation. Our students are even developing their own satellite missions.
Edinburgh aims to be the Space Data Capital of Europe, as a vibrant centre for world-class talent, data science and space and satellite entrepreneurship. We are known for our role driving the Scottish space sector through generating growth in Edinburgh as well as connecting the wider Scottish space community to propel the Scottish space sector ahead.
Advanced geoscience facilities
The School of GeoSciences is exceptionally well-equipped with the latest technologies to
enable researchers to stay at the forefront of their fields. The
School houses an impressive range of advanced geoscience facilities and services and is involved with collaborative centres of research excellence. For example, a wide range of
high-tech facilities for the analysis of rocks, minerals and fluids, for
isotope analysis and measurement of the physical properties of rocks.
There are excellent facilities and expertise for scientific computing in
geographic information systems, meteorological models and geophysics.
Astrobiology
The UK Centre for Astrobiology is an interdisciplinary research centre. Its mission is to discover how habitable worlds form in the Universe, how life emerges, proliferates and leaves traces on these worlds, and how biological systems could support sustainable space exploration. This is achieved through a combination of theoretical, laboratory, field and mission approaches. This knowledge is applied to improving the quality of life on Earth and developing space exploration.
Expertise includes
Facilities include
Astronomy Technology
The UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UK ATC) is a national centre of excellence for the development of scientific instrumentation and facilities for ground- and space-based astronomy.
Based at the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh, and operated by STFC it has a world-class reputation for delivering innovative and capable cameras, spectrometers and even turnkey telescope systems.
Higgs Centre for Innovation
The Higgs Centre for Innovation brings together world-class research in astronomy and particle physics and the instrumentation expertise that underpins it, with business incubation facilities and laboratories suitable for commercial use. The Science and Technology Facilities Council and the University have a long history of developing and commercialising revolutionary science and technology.
Space Innovation
The Bayes Centre is the coordinating Space Innovation Hub for DDI (Data-Driven Innovation) Space and Satellites activities; focussing on working with industry, governments, and NGOs to accelerate the translation of the University’s cutting-edge Space and Satellite research into social and economic impact.
The University of Edinburgh provides research-driven solutions to transform and future-proof organisations on their digital transformation journey. Key areas of expertise include:
Communications Systems: Networks, Next Generation Wireless and Optical Comms.
Machine Learning: Bayesian Inference, Deep Learning and Data Analytics.
Signal and Image Processing: Tomography and Computational Imaging.
The Wide Field Astronomy Unit (WFAU) carries out multi-wavelength sky mapping projects, providing services, tools, and databases to the international astronomy community, as well as the public at large. Building on a long history of photographic surveys going back to the late nineteenth century, in recent years WFAU has processed, housed and served databases from the UKIDSS and VISTA surveys, bringing in a new era of digital infra-red astronomy, as well as involvement in the Gaia sky survey, which is transforming positional astronomy. Currently, it is preparing to host data from the new Euclid space mission and the upcoming Rubin Observatory's Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). As well as the data itself, and a query interface, it provides tools such as the Lasair Event Broker which provides a real-time stream of transient events in the ever-changing sky.
Image credit: Rafael Schmall / NOIRLab under CC
The Space Bridges programme, funded by the UK Space Agency, offers short courses to upskill individuals for the space industry, targeting new school leavers, experienced professionals, career returnees, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Utilising the University of Edinburgh's expertise in space data, the courses are delivered online with in-person workshops and networking opportunities. These industry-co-created courses aim to enhance skills for those entering or advancing in the space sector. Additionally, finance sector professionals can learn to apply space data in their business. This initiative is a collaboration between the University of Edinburgh and Fife College.
