Contribution of universities to regional space clusters

That this House celebrates Space Exploration Day on 20 July, commemorating the first crewed mission to the moon and moon landing, which took place on July 20, 1969; notes that the UK space industry generates £17.5 billion for the economy and provides 50,000 highly skilled jobs across the country including scientists and engineers working in academic and industry roles; and recognises the essential contribution of universities to space clusters including Space South Central, the largest regional cluster in the UK, which is led by the University of Portsmouth, the University of Southampton and the University of Surrey, which as a collaborative partnership between academia and industry is accelerating space business growth, fostering an environment of innovation, growing the reputation of the south-central region and is an exemplar of academia and industry working hand in hand to drive national prosperity.