Blog: That’s one small step for an SME, but one giant leap for the NE Space Sector!
- 21 hours ago
- 3 min read
Ailsa Anderson
Director of Development, Engineering & Manufacturing Network
Over the past few months, I’ve been meeting many of the Engineering & Manufacturing Network members had many of the conversations across the region have had a common theme.
“We’re interested in the space sector… but we’re not sure we belong there.”
And every time, my answer is the same — because honestly, you probably do belong there. You just might not realise how close you already are.
What does the Space Sector Actually Wants From Suppliers?
It’s easy to imagine that the space industry is all clean rooms, astronauts and scenes from a Netflix sci‑fi series, but the more companies I speak with, the clearer it becomes: space is built on the same foundations our region already excels at.
Think:
Precision engineering
Electronics, photonics, RF
Materials and additive manufacturing
Digital tech, data, software
Reliable processes, strong documentation, good QA
This is the bread and butter of so many North East and Engineering & Manufacturing Network SMEs.
And yes — the sector needs innovation too. Fresh thinking in sensing, comms, automation, advanced materials, mission support…That new‑ideas‑energy that SMEs are brilliant at.
So if you’ve ever wondered whether your capabilities translate – then they very likely do.
Adjacent Sectors Are Becoming a Launchpad
Without knowing it companies often already have 70–80% of what’s needed to pivot into space work.
If you’re operating in automotive, advanced manufacturing, defence, digital, offshore energy or electronics then you’re closer to the space supply chain than you realise.
The missing pieces tend to be things like:
What space standards look like
How procurement works
Where your product fits in a mission
That’s where Space North East England, NESST, and our university partners come in — helping businesses translate what they already do brilliantly into space‑ready opportunities.
If This Sparks Curiosity… then you need to come along to the North East Space Conference 2026 on 9th June 2026.
📅 9 June 2026 — 09:00 to 15:00 📍 Radisson Blu Hotel, Durham Theme: Pivot into Space: Unlocking New Horizons
This isn’t just another conference — it’s the North East’s flagship space event. The programme dives into how organisations from adjacent industries can diversify, adapt existing strengths, and pivot into space markets, with sessions on skills, career transitions and future‑ready capability.
You can expect the normal expert speakers and panel discussions, but these are supplemented by:
Practical workshops
Meaningful networking with the North East space community
Real examples of companies who’ve already pivoted successfully
And a genuinely collaborative, energising atmosphere designed to spark new partnerships and ideas
It brings together industry leaders, innovators, academics and policymakers for a full day of insight and connections.
👉 Full details: https://www.spacenortheastengland.com/event-details/north-east-space-conference-2026
If you’ve even got a tiny spark of interest in the space sector, this is a great way to explore it.
🛠️ A Few Do’s and Don’ts I’ve Picked Up Along the Way
✔️ DO:
Highlight your strengths in precision, engineering quality, testing, documentation
Flag any work you’ve done in regulated sectors — it really matters
Show you’re open to working toward space standards
Talk to the catapults, universities, cluster teams — early conversations help
Start small: components, materials, processes, testing
❌ DON’T:
Think you need to already be a “space company”
Overpromise before you understand qualification requirements
Focus only on satellites or launch — the big opportunities are often elsewhere
Wait for tenders — relationships are everything in this sector
Final thought
The more I speak with businesses across our region, the more convinced I become: the North East has everything it needs to play a huge role in the UK’s space future.
Not by reinventing itself….but by recognising the strength that’s already here. Maybe we should rephrase the famous line… That’s one small step for an SME, but one giant leap for the NE Space Sector!