The North East is on the rise in the UK space sector
- catherinegordon8
- 5 minutes ago
- 2 min read
From a niche cluster to a thriving regional hub, the North East of England is quickly establishing itself as a powerhouse in satellite technologies, advanced manufacturing, research and skills development — with strong momentum backed by regional partners, investment and innovation.
Read this insightful article from Innovation News Network to discover how the space ecosystem here is growing and why Space North East England - alongside all our members and collaborators - have played a part in this journey:
Over the past decade, the space industry in the North East of England has moved from a niche presence to a growing regional cluster – one with credibility, ambition, and momentum.
While historically much of the UK’s space industry has been concentrated around London, the South East, and a few other established hubs, the North East is gradually forging a distinct identity in satellite technologies, space applications, advanced manufacturing, and research.
Recent public‑data and industry‑sector reports highlight this transformation. According to one regional analysis, the number of space‑organisations in the region rose from 34 to 51 – a jump of nearly 50%  in a matter of years, reflecting increasing business formation and inward investment.
Employment in the local space sector has also climbed, rising by about 12% to over 1,000 people. In monetary terms, the sector once generated around £88m in income for the region.
More recent summaries suggest even stronger growth: estimates from the 2024–2025 period place the number of organisations at roughly 80, with employment of over 1,340 people and regional income rising to around £171m.
These figures show the cluster is not only surviving – it is thriving and expanding. But numbers alone don’t capture the full story.
The North East’s recent surge represents a strategic effort to build capacity in manufacturing, research, training, and satellite applications that align with broader UK and global trends in space technology.