North East Space Conference hears region could become leader
That was the message at the annual North East Space Conference, held in Durham, which brought together more than 350 delegates and exhibitors from around the world to showcase the region’s growing space sector.
John Bone, chair of Space North East England, said: “The day was exactly what we were hoping it would be.
“The event was sold out for the first time with more than 350 delegates and dozens of exhibitors.
“But just as important was the quality of the people and organisations we were able to attract to our region, and the opportunity to show them why they should be interested in what the North East has to offer.”
Hosted at the Radisson Blu Hotel, the conference attracted major figures from the global space industry, including representatives from the European Space Agency and the Florida Space Agency.
Matt Chesnut, vice president of the Florida Space Agency, delivered a keynote address and participated in a panel discussion.
He said: “Florida is in a good spot right now, we’re number one for growth in the United States and we’re the world’s busiest space port, with 51 launches this year.
“So we’re over in the UK looking at how we fit in together on this trip, how we work together.
“I see a lot of similarities between the North East and Florida – in terms of research and development – you guys are going through a lot of the same thing, you’re building the rockets, you’re building components, you’re training the workforce and we’re looking at what the opportunities, which we think are huge.”
Nicoletta Wagner of the European Space Agency and Matthew Archer, director of launch at the UK Space Agency, also addressed the conference.
Mr Archer said: “People don’t realise that 20 per cent of the UK’s economy is supported in one way or another by the space sector and it was one of the few industries that continued to grow even through Covid.
“It is only going to become more important – our SaxaVord spaceport on Shetland is now fully operational, is set to employ up to 350 people, and within the next year will begin regular space launches from UK soil.
“For me there is a massive opportunity for the North East to support this growing industry.
“Some businesses in the region might be thinking is space for me, but actually a lot of businesses that do go into space are already successfully using their technologies down here and sometimes don’t realise they can be applied in space technology too.”
The conference aimed to connect businesses with agencies and academics, highlighting the role of the region’s five universities in advancing the North East’s space ambitions.
Currently, more than 1,300 people are employed in the sector across the region, with Space North East England targeting 10,000 jobs by 2030.
James Osborn of Durham University, involved in the university’s Space Research Centre (SPARC), spoke about the momentum building in the sector.
Mr Osborn said: “The North East space cluster has been great for our universities in driving interest and development in the space sector.
“We’re really hopeful now that the region is set to become a centre for cutting-edge space research and skills development on our doorsteps.
“It’s a real opportunity to create the next generation of space pioneers and hopefully keep those skills in the North East to our advantage.
“It just shows what can be accomplished when academics, businesses and organisations pull together.”