This is the innovation hub and workspace run by UCL Engineering and WilbeLAB. And the new lab is part of a joint initiative between UCL, the Satellite Applications Catapult (SAC), the UK Space Agency (UKSA), and Space South Central.
The new location will join the existing nationwide network of Space Enterprise Labs, set up by the Catapult.
IDEALondon
“The launch of the Space Enterprise Lab IDEALondon at UCL represents a new chapter for the UK’s space ecosystem,” said Simone Hartless, Head of Capabilities and Clusters at SAC.
“By combining the innovation energy of London’s digital and research communities with the national SEL network, we’re enabling collaboration that turns ideas into impact. Our new collaboration with the UK Space Agency Accelerator will make the SELs even more dynamic, creating spaces where new ventures can thrive and where the next generation of space entrepreneurs can meet, learn, and build.”
For its part, UCL highlighted its existing work with SAC. ANd the university isd also part of the Space South Central regisonal cluster.
“This is fantastic news for UCL, both on a partnership and innovation level,” said Kemil Thomas, Principal Partnerships Manager (High Growth SMEs), UCL Innovation & Enterprise. “This facility at IDEALondon extends our partnership with the SAC further and solidifies our commitment to supporting the UK space sector and the next generation of space entrepreneurs.”
Network
As mentioned, it’s the latest addition to the UK’s Satellite Applications Catapult’s network of such Space Enterprise Labs.
The idea is for a SEL to provide a range of capabilities or services for local space sector companies. This will enable them to work together more effectively. Part of a national linked network of 15 such facilities, they offer users a “modern, professional and safe working environment”.
The full list of the fifteen UK SEL locations is now:
- SEL Adastral (Ipswich, Suffolk)
- SEL Daresbury (Liverpool City Region)
- SEL Edinburgh (South-East Scotland)
- SEL Glasgow (Central Scotland)
- SEL Harwell (Oxfordshire)
- SEL IDEALondon (London)
- SEL Leeds (Space Hub Yorkshire)
- SEL Leicester (Leicestershire)
- SEL NETPark (County Durham)
- SEL Newport (South Wales)
- SEL Northern Ireland (Belfast)
- SEL OpTIC (North Wales)
- SEL Spaceport Cornwall (Cornwall)
- SEL Portsmouth (Hampshire)
- SEL Westcott (Buckinghamshire)
UK Space Agency Accelerator
Note that between November 2025 and March 2026, the Space Enterprise Labs in Edinburgh, Leeds, and IDEALondon will host monthly co-working days and networking sessions.
These are for space startup founders taking part in the UK Space Agency Accelerator programmes. It is with the aim of helping early-stage founders connect, collaborate, and grow within a national ecosystem.
Image: Satellite Applications Catapult – From left to right: Joaquin Perez-Grande, Space Ecosystem Manager, Satellite Applications Catapult, Dr Louise Butt, Director, Space South Central Enterprise Network, Dr Rob Thompson, Vice-Dean Enterprise, Engineering Sciences, UCL, Kemil Thomas, Principal Partnerships Manager (High Growth SMEs), UCL Innovation & Enterprise
See also: Northern Ireland Space Enterprise Lab opens at AMIC Harbour
