MORE THAN 200 jobs are blasting into Alton as Hampshire-based In-Space Missions announces a major expansion.

The company designs, builds and operates satellites and plans space missions for clients across the country, and released plans this week for its expansion into a new state-of-the-art premises in Alton, bringing 200 jobs.

The company’s ‘Mission HQ’ is now in Omega Park in Alton, and it incorporates a dedicated 500m2 offices with larger, purpose-built, satellite clean rooms, allowing them to manufacture and test on site.

Doug Liddle, co-founder and chief executive of In-Space, said: “We are delighted to announce our expansion in Alton. This will allow us space to fulfil our already strong and growing customer order book.

“As we increase in size, it is imperative that we are able to access the best talent in the industry, and Alton’s location is perfect in that regard.

“We are proud to be a UK company, building up from scratch over the past five years.

“This is an exciting next step on our journey.”

In-Space is keen to get its technology into orbit quickly, and anticipates it will need to recruit 200 high-value employees to help support its future-focused endeavours.

The move has also been supported by East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds and the chief executive officer of East Hampshire District Council, Gill Kneller.

Science minister Amanda Solloway said the UK space sector was “thriving” and that companies such as In-Space Missions were the “backbone” of the sector’s growth.

East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds also met the team at their previous base at the Bordon Innovation Centre.

He said: “I am delighted to hear both of their continued success and expansion, and that they are able to stay in the area, in new larger premises in Alton.

“Helping to develop space businesses, including new space missions and payload flight opportunities, the business is operating in an exciting field.

“We’re fortunate to have hi-tech employers like In-Space Missions based here in East Hampshire.”

In-Space has also developed its own Faraday mission concept offering a satellite ride-share for customers who want to demonstrate their technology by taking a ‘slot’ on board rather than having to build and manage an entire spacecraft and launch themselves.

East Hampshire District Council chief executive Gill Kneller added: “As a fast-growing business within a strategically important sector, we are delighted In-Space has been able to expand within East Hampshire.

“This move demonstrates confidence in East Hampshire as a place to do business and a welcome boost to the recovery of the local economy in the long term.”