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Space conference highlights region’s powerhouse potential

Space North East England
www.spacenortheastengland.com
LinkedIn: Space North East England

The North East's credentials as a space sector powerhouse were thrust into the spotlight at a recent event, which celebrated successes and set the scene for future opportunities. Here, N magazine looks back at the North East Space Conference 2026 and how innovation, collaboration and ambition can propel the region to even greater heights.

The North East Space Conference 2026 demonstrated the growing strength and ambition of the region's space sector.

Bringing together more than 350 delegates from industry, academia, government and the investment community, it explored future opportunities for growth, collaboration and inward investment.

The conference highlighted the increasingly important role the sector is playing in driving innovation, attracting investment and creating high-value jobs across the region.

Hosted by Space North East England at Durham's Radisson Blu Hotel, the conference focused on a clear ambition: converting the North East's growing reputation for innovation into increased national and international investment.

While the region's space sector has developed steadily over the past decade, this year's event reflected growing confidence that the North East is now positioned to play a much larger role in the UK's space economy.

North East mayor Kim McGuinness, who opened the sell-out event, reinforced the scale of the opportunity facing the region and challenged both established space businesses and organisations from adjacent sectors to consider the role they can play in shaping the industry's future.

She said: "It's so clear to me that Durham and the wider region have to play a major role in space – the sector already employs more than 5000 people and is worth £1.75 billion to the region's economy.

"Those outside the sector should consider whether their innovations could be used in space, while those already in space need to help make the argument that the North East must be at the centre of progress in space in this country.

"We have never lacked ambition in the North East, and have a heritage of being a manufacturing powerhouse.

"For some, space might not be the natural next step, but for us in the North East, with our innovations, ambitions and workforce, the path ahead is obvious."

Delegates heard from leading organisations including the UK Space Agency, European Space Agency, Lockheed Martin, Airbus, Seraphim Space and Telespazio, alongside businesses already driving innovation across the region.

A key theme throughout the conference was the strength of the North East's wider industrial ecosystem and the opportunities this creates for businesses both within and beyond the traditional space sector.

As space technologies become increasingly important to communications, defence, manufacturing and environmental monitoring, opportunities are emerging for companies with capabilities that can be applied across multiple markets.

Discussions highlighted how businesses operating in advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, engineering and defence can diversify into the rapidly growing space economy.

The conference also highlighted the significant supply chain opportunities emerging across the sector.

Lockheed Martin's £100 million proposal to build a UK satellite manufacturing facility at Sedgefield's NETPark demonstrates growing confidence in the capability of regions such as the North East to support globally significant space activity.

The region is well positioned to capitalise on this growth thanks to its concentration of advanced manufacturing and technology businesses, supported by world-class research and skills assets.

Organisations including Durham University's Space Research Centre, Northumbria University's North East Space Skills and Technology Centre and New College Durham's North East Institute of Technology are helping develop the talent and innovation pipeline required to support future demand.

Growing links between the space and defence sectors were another key talking point.

As satellite technologies become increasingly important to national security and resilient communications, collaboration between the two sectors continues to strengthen.

County Durham is already home to a number of companies operating across both markets, including NETPark-based businesses such as Filtronic, Kromek, RED Scientific and Graphene Composites.

Their expertise in advanced materials, semiconductors, communications and defence technologies aligns closely with future space sector requirements.

Alongside innovation and skills, the conference reinforced the North East's wider proposition for new businesses moving to the region.

Businesses can access specialist facilities, connect to strong digital connectivity, a highly skilled workforce and, importantly, the space required to grow and scale.

Lisa Mullen, cluster director for Space North East England, said: "The North East has established a strong reputation for collaboration, innovation and manufacturing excellence.

"This year's conference demonstrated the growing interest from investors and industry leaders who recognise the opportunities our region offers."

The conference reinforced a clear message: the North East's space sector is no longer an emerging opportunity.

The North East's space sector continues to grow through collaboration between businesses, universities, investors and public sector partners.

And it is becoming an increasingly important contributor to the UK's space ambitions and a compelling destination for investment, innovation and growth.

To learn more about the organisations driving the North East’s growth in the space sector, upcoming events, funding opportunities and the support available to businesses looking to enter or expand within the sector, visit the website at the top of this article.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by N Magazine .