Global space leaders land in Durham

Durham played host to the sold-out North East Space Conference over the summer, welcoming more than 350 delegates and exhibitors from across the globe.

Leading figures from the UK, Europe and the US converged on the region to explore how the North East can play a major role in the next era of British space endeavour.

The day opened with an address from John Bone, chair of Space North East England, who described the event as “a brilliant vehicle to showcase how much work is going on in the space sector in the North East.”

Attendees included representatives from the European Space Agency, UK Space Agency and major aerospace companies including Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and Airbus, who were all keen to understand the region’s growing influence.

Launching the UK’s space ambitions

A standout session came from Matthew Archer, director of launch at the UK Space Agency, who outlined the national strategy for launching rockets from UK soil.

He highlighted SaxaVord spaceport in Shetland, now operational and expected to deliver regular launches – as well as thousands of skilled jobs – over the coming years.

Matthew noted 20 per cent of the UK economy is now linked to the space sector, and that the North East – with its strong engineering and manufacturing heritage – is uniquely positioned to support that growth.

James Osborn, of Durham University, added academic insight, outlining investments including a £5 million boost to the Durham Space Research Centre, and the role of the North East Space Cluster in creating a talent pipeline and driving innovation.

Northumbria University’s North East Space Skills and Technology Centre (NESST) took centre stage during the conference.

Backed by a £50 million investment from Lockheed Martin and the UK Space Agency, NESST is emerging on the Newcastle skyline as a symbol of regional ambition.

The facility will offer advanced training and research and development capacity, bridging gaps between academia, business and government.

NESST is recognised as a vital step in nurturing the next generation of space pioneers and embedding skilled roles within the local economy.

Filtronic leads space-grade innovation

Filtronic stood out among local companies.

Based at NETPark, in Sedgefield, County Durham, Filtronic designs and makes satellite communications, radar and 5G hardware.

Its presentation demonstrated how a regional SME can scale to become a global partner in space and advanced communications, offering a clear blueprint for other North East businesses looking to pivot into the sector.

Its success, built on smart collaboration and innovation assets, was a highlight of the day.

Florida delegation lands in Durham

Another dynamic element of the conference was the high-profile Florida Space Agency delegation, including vice president Matt Chesnut, who joined panel discussions and gave a keynote talk.

Matt spoke about Florida’s 51 launches this year, positioning the state as the world’s busiest spaceport and a global leader in the sector.

He drew clear parallels between Florida and the North East – both hubs of engineering and skills development – and suggested strong potential for bilateral collaboration.

Highlighting shared ambitions in manufacturing, training and components, he added: “We’re here to explore how we fit together.”

Why the North East matters: a region ready to launch

Beyond headline speakers, the conference showcased a shared vision: to grow regional employment in space from around 1300 professionals today to more than 10,000 by 2030.

This ambition builds on established strengths: science parks like NETPark, five collaborating universities and more than 50 specialised businesses generating £113 million in annual turnover. Industry-led innovation, investment and academic partnerships were central to the event.

But the most lasting impact was the energy around new partnerships between SMEs, universities, government agencies and global collaborators.

John said: “Relationships and partnerships are cemented… people get work done and progress is made.”

How businesses can get involved with the Space North East England Cluster

For companies looking to break into the fast- growing space sector, joining the Space North East England Cluster offers an ideal entry point.

The cluster brings together more than 50 companies and more than 1400 staff, serving as a gateway to collaboration, funding, supply chains and academic partnerships.

Whether you’re an established player or entering the sector from manufacturing, digital, materials or optics, there are multiple ways to engage:

•  Join the cluster to access events, project opportunities and funding calls

•  Collaborate with universities and regional assets such as NETPark, Durham University and the NESST Centre

•  Get involved in training and skills programmes, including student placements and STEM initiatives

•  Explore international collaboration, including opportunities with ESA, UK Space Agency and global partners like Florida Space

North East England isn’t just about rockets, it’s about unlocking cross-sector growth rooted in the region’s industrial DNA.

With the conference showcasing what’s possible, the invitation is open: join the cluster, plug into a thriving ecosystem and help shape the UK’s next generation of space innovation.

 

Space North East England

To learn more about Space North East England, visit www.spacenortheastengland.com.

LinkedIn: Space North East England

Business Durham

To find out more about Business Durham and the services it provides to aid organisations’ growth plans, visit www.businessdurham.co.uk.

LinkedIn: Business Durham