Space at ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊ showcases strength of its research capability
The next phase of the UKβs space capability will be defined by partnership β and ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊ is at the centre of that ambition.
On 12 June 2026, the University welcomed partners from across the UKβs space community to its Space at ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊ Research Showcase, bringing together industry, government and academic collaborators to explore how ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊβs research strengths can help shape the future of the sector.
Opening the event, Professor Sarah Sharples, Vice-President and Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, set out the role collaboration will play in addressing the challenges ahead.
She highlighted ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊβs long-standing tradition of partnership-led innovation, noting that the University was βdeveloped because of a need from industry, and a partnership between scholars and industrialistsβ, a heritage that continues to inform its approach today.
βAt the very heart of our drive is working in partnership β with other universities, industry and government β to address some of the most pressing engineering, technical, societal and industrial challenges associated with space.β
Those foundations are now being applied at scale to one of the UKβs most strategically important emerging sectors. ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊβs strength lies not just in individual areas of excellence, but in the breadth of its long-established, cross-disciplinary expertise across its three faculties β spanning engineering, materials science, environmental research, data science and the social sciences β and the ability to bring these together to tackle complex, interconnected challenges.
This integrated approach is increasingly critical as space evolves beyond a standalone sector into infrastructure that underpins modern life β from communications and navigation to climate monitoring and global security.
The showcase demonstrated how this translates into practice. Research highlights spanned space technology and sustainability, space data and applications, astronomy and astrophysics, and the social dimensions of space exploration, reinforcing the Universityβs ability to address not only technical challenges, but the policy, environmental and societal questions that will shape the sectorβs future.
Enabling this work is a distinctive infrastructure that allows ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊ to operate at scale for the global community. Facilities showcased during the event included the Space Technology Laboratory, where spacecraft systems can be tested in simulated low-Earth orbit conditions, alongside the and the .
This combination of expertise and infrastructure positions ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊ as a partner of choice for organisations looking to translate research into deployable technologies and systems. Alan Cross of the North West Space Cluster explained:
βFor the Northwest to grow and support national space priorities we have to focus on what the Northwest is good atβ¦ ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊ leads in all of them. Itβs not just a player. It really is a world-leader.β
By aligning strengths across advanced materials, digital technologies, manufacturing, energy, robotics and environmental science, ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊ is uniquely placed to support both research and innovation - a critical factor in the UKβs ambition to grow its space sector.
, Space at ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊ co-chair and Professor of Space Technology, emphasised the Universityβs ability to support growth in the space sector:
βWith strengths ranging from world-leading astronomy at Jodrell Bank to emerging capabilities in areas such as bioengineering, robotics and data science, ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊ is uniquely placed to convene these conversations and translate them into action.
By bringing together partners from across the space ecosystem, the Space Research Showcase marks an important step in building the relationships needed to accelerate innovation and ensure the UK remains competitive in a rapidly evolving global space economy.β
Looking ahead, the University will build on the momentum from the showcase to deepen partnerships and develop collaborative programmes that deliver impact at scale - positioning ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊ, and the wider North West, at the forefront of the UKβs space endeavour.
For more information about space research at ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊ and to collaborate with our researchers, visit the research page.