Northumbria University, UK, has secured £50 million in funding to develop a world-leading space centre in the North East of England. Funding from the UK Space Agency (£10 million) and global aerospace giant Lockheed Martin (£15 million) were matched by the University itself (£25 million) to create the North East Space Skills and Technology Centre. The aim is to work collaboratively on research, technology development, and STEM engagement over a 10-year period.
“Making Britain a space superpower means backing brilliant ideas up and down the land and harnessing the full potential of talent in our growing sector – from Dundee to Newcastle, Cornwall to Snowdonia,” said Andrew Griffith MP, Minister of State at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. “By investing with the private sector in research and facilities across the UK, we are ensuring they become home to global industries that support the growth of our £17.5 billion space sector, create hundreds of new jobs, and build dynamic businesses across the UK.”
“This is a pivotal moment, not just for Northumbria University, but for the wider North East region and, indeed, for the UK space sector as a whole,” added Professor Andy Long, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Northumbria University. “This catalytic funding from both the UK Space Agency and Lockheed Martin recognises the world-leading excellence in all aspects of space research at Northumbria University. Quite simply, NESST will be a game-changer for the whole of the North East, ensuring the region becomes a major hub for innovation in the global space economy.”
The researchers believe the new space centre — which will be called NESST — will be a game changer for the UK. NEEST will create over 350 jobs and add over £260 million to the economy over the next 30 years. It will play a crucial role in the government’s plan to develop the region.
Located at the heart of Northumbria University, NESST will be a new asset, bringing together industry and academia to collaborate internationally on space research. The team hopes NESST will put the UK at the forefront of research and innovation in areas such as optical satellite communications, space weather, and space-based energy, as well as lead the way in specialist education to ensure the UK has skilled workers in the future.
Lockheed Martin and Northumbria University joined forces in 2022 to support the development of skills, research, and technology in the space sector. Lockheed Martin has already funded £630,000 to support collaborations with the University on several projects, including machine learning algorithms and the use of space-based solar power.
“NESST is one part of Lockheed Martin’s investment plans for our space business in the UK and will provide early prototyping and test facilities for new capabilities that could eventually be manufactured onshore. It will also be a reskilling hub, providing the pipeline of talent we will need to deliver national and even global programmes. With this investment, Lockheed Martin is thrilled to further our collaboration with Northumbria University and the UK Space Agency and be a part of such significant initiatives for the region and the entire UK space sector,” said Nik Smith, Regional Director for UK and Europe, Lockheed Martin.
The Wynne Jones Building at Northumbrian University will be transformed into a prominent home for NESST. The building is currently under refurbishment and will open in 2025 with world-class laboratories, teaching, and office spaces. NESST will be home to some of the University’s partnerships with national and international organisations and will be open to business working in the space sector.
“Our space sector has been concentrated in London and the South East, but in recent years, we’ve seen the emergence of vibrant clusters across the whole of the country and significant investments from world-leading companies such as Lockheed Martin. This is a fantastic opportunity for Northumbria University to further propel the UK to the forefront of world-class research and innovation with the North East Space Skills and Technology Centre (NESST), helping us lead the way in optical satellite communications, space weather and energy research, education and training,” concluded Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency. “It’s a brilliant example of the potential of our thriving space sector across the length and breadth of the UK to develop innovative infrastructure that helps us deliver increasingly ambitious missions and capabilities. The Space Clusters Infrastructure Fund highlights the government’s commitment to space and will help deliver the goal set out in the National Space Strategy to build one of the most innovative and attractive space economies in the world, developing new skills and creating jobs.”