In a groundbreaking move set to revolutionise the UK’s space industry, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, has announced the creation of a new space skills, research, and technology centre, with a whopping investment of £50 million. The North East Space Skills and Technology Centre (NESST) is not just a monumental stride for the university but also a significant leap for the UK’s space sector.
This ambitious project has garnered major funding from prestigious sources – the UK Space Agency and aerospace giant Lockheed Martin, along with significant match-funding from Northumbria University itself.
NESST is poised to be a game-changer in the space economy, directly supporting over 350 jobs and injecting £260 million into the North East economy over three decades. It stands as a pillar in the government’s levelling-up agenda, promising to catalyse the UK space sector’s growth, particularly in the North East.
The UK Space Agency has shown tremendous faith in Northumbria University’s vision by awarding £10 million for NESST’s development. Lockheed Martin further bolsters this vision with a £15 million investment over a decade, earmarked for collaborative research, technology development, skills provision, and STEM engagement activities.
NESST will be the first anchor tenant for Lockheed Martin, forging new paths for UK companies in the global space market. Additionally, the university’s commitment to match the awards from the UK Space Agency and Lockheed Martin with £25 million highlights the project’s significance.
Set in the heart of Northumbria University’s Newcastle city campus, NESST is not just a physical structure but a national space asset. It will unite industry and academia, focusing on globally significant space research and technological developments.
NESST’s areas of focus are varied and forward-thinking, including optical satellite communications, space weather, space-based energy, and specialist education and training. This initiative will ensure the UK has a well-equipped, highly skilled workforce ready to take on future challenges in the space sector.
The partnership between Lockheed Martin and Northumbria University, which began in 2022, has already seen significant collaborations. This includes developing machine learning algorithms to detect nanojets and accelerating the use of space-based solar power.
The UK Space Agency’s award to Northumbria was the largest under its new Space Clusters Infrastructure Fund (SCIF), reflecting confidence in the university’s ambitions. NESST will be housed in the university’s Wynne Jones building, which is set for a grand reopening in 2025 with state-of-the-art facilities.
This flagship development cements Northumbria University’s reputation as a leader in research and teaching, further boosted by its recent accolade as Times Higher Education’s University of the Year 2022.
In the words of Professor Andy Long, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Northumbria University, “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.”
Andrew Griffith MP, Minister of State at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the initiative’s role in making Britain a space superpower and harnessing talent in the growing sector.
Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, emphasised NESST’s potential in leading optical satellite communications, space weather, and energy research, education, and training.
Cllr Nick Kemp, Leader of Newcastle City Council, expressed excitement over the project’s implications for the city and region, foreseeing a significant boost to the local economy and new opportunities for people.
NESST, thus, represents more than a project; it’s a vision for the future, blending education, innovation, and economic growth in a sector that holds limitless possibilities for the UK and beyond.
