The UK Government has provided £102,500 worth of grant funding towards two Scottish Space projects.
The Scottish Space Group (Space Scotland) received £64,500 to appoint a cluster development manager to build and deliver on recommendations from the Scottish Space Strategy.
Other activities will include identifying opportunities in the downstream sectors, scaling of regional science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) activities and undertaking a series of stakeholder engagement activities to promote the cluster.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise also managed to secure £38,000, which will be given to Space Hub Sutherland to undertake development activity around the proposed site of the spaceport and launch facilities.
These regional hubs, known as space clusters, should support new and growing companies, building on local expertise and catalysing investment into the space sector.
The funding follows the UK Government announcing its flagship Levelling Up White Paper, which sets out various plans to transform the UK by spreading opportunity to all parts of it.
The space sector is worth more than £16bn per year, but the balance of investment and jobs is skewed towards certain regions.
Dr Paul Bate, chief executive of the UK Space Agency, said: "The National Space Strategy sets out a vision for ensuring we have a thriving, resilient and well-connected space ecosystem across the whole of the UK.
"We are building on our strengths in space such as satellite manufacturing, while supporting emerging markets like in-orbit servicing, to unlock the growth in the UK space sector and help level up the economy."
As part of the Levelling Up agenda, the UK Government has also confirmed it will establish a new Island Forum, aimed at empowering island communities to communicate directly with the government to inform policy.
Westminster will work with the devolved governments when establishing the forum.
Several projects in island communities have already benefited from cash injections through the Levelling-Up Fund, including £173,400 committed to Argyll and Bute Council for investment into the West Coast UAV Innovation Logistics and training hub, which helps explore using drones to transport medical supplies to islands.
Secretary of State Michael Gove said: "Talent is equally spread across the United Kingdom, but opportunity is not; our island communities face shared challenges and I want us to work together to overcome them, as we work to unite and level up the whole UK."
Don't miss the latest headlines with our twice-daily newsletter - sign up here for free.
