Research is at the heart of Northumbria’s commitment to transform the next generation of space innovation. In the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF2021) Northumbria University achieved the biggest rise in research power ranking of any UK university and this is reflected through the strength of our Interdisciplinary Research Theme on Space as well as our specialist areas including Satellite Communications Engineering, Solar and Space Physics, Space Law Policy, Space Physiology, and Earth Observation and Astronomical Instrumentation.
The scale of our research would not be possible without our partnerships with key organisations, who lead in space research, funding, and innovation.
In the summer of 2023, a £5 million award from the UK Space Agency enabled Northumbria to take forward world-leading research to build a new satellite communications system, setting the scene for our launch as the UK’s first university-led multi-satellite space mission.
In 2022 we joined forces with Lockheed Martin to support the development of skills, research and technology in the space sector. Lockheed Martin has already invested £630,000 in trailblazing projects with the University, including working together to create machine learning algorithms to detect and record nanojets, as well as joining forces to accelerate the use of space-based solar power.
Our latest collaboration with Lockheed Martin and the UK Space Agency is the game-changing £50m space skills, research and development centre, NESST. The centre will play a critical role in the government’s levelling-up agenda and immediately become a catalyst for the wider development of the UK space sector in the North East region. Read more about NESST here.
Get in touch to learn how you or your business can become more involved in space at Northumbria and stay up to date with our latest news and future developments here.
