Lockheed Martin has launched a collaboration with a North East university kickstarted by a £630,000 investment to support the development of skills, research and technology across the region.
The global aerospace and security company has teamed up with Northumbria University, which is a leading authority in space and solar physics research, having invested heavily in facilities and experts within the field. The firm has plans to expand its manufacturing space operations in the UK and is exploring options to establish a new research, development and manufacturing facility which would support up to 2,300 jobs in the region.
The company’s £630,000 investment forms part of a wider £7m investment into engineering facilities for research and teaching at Northumbria, which is funded by the Office for Students, the UK Space Agency and the Newcastle based university. The investment aims to make the university and wider region a leader in the global space economy, supporting new research, developing innovative technologies and generating skills in the growing sector.
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Lockheed Martin is initially set to invest in two strategic projects, including finding new ways to transmit power to enable wireless charging of satellites, and for new forms of inter-satellite communications. It will also sponsor two PhDs in solar physics. The initiative follows a similar collaboration between Lockheed Martin and RTC North which aims to give SMEs better access to UK, US and global programmes.
Paul Livingston, chief executive of Lockheed Martin UK, said: “I am delighted to announce our initial collaboration with Northumbria University, which demonstrates Lockheed Martin’s commitment to investing in a long-term space industrial base in the UK. Our plans will grow the UK as a space nation, help it become a science and technology superpower, and contribute to levelling up the economy.”
Professor John Woodward, faculty Pro Vice-Chancellor for engineering and environment, Northumbria University, added: “We are excited to develop our relationship with Lockheed Martin and look forward to working with them on satellite technology, space science research, and enriching our portfolio to deliver high-quality satellite-skills-related education.
“Lockheed Martin is a global leader in aeronautic, space and satellite research, partnering with the likes of NASA and the UK and European Space Agencies with whom we already work. We are delighted that Lockheed Martin recognise the expertise in satellite and space technology within Northumbria University and the potential for the wider North East region.”
The collaboration follows a Space Skills and Suppliers Summit held in Newcastle in March, in partnership with Invest North East England. The summit brought together potential new partners keen to work on initiatives linked with growing the UK space sector.
Lucy Winskell OBE, chair of the North East LEP, added: “The number of North East businesses actively working in the space and satellite sector continues to grow. The investment by Lockheed Martin in the new North East Space Skills and Technology centre will open the door for businesses of all sizes to support the growth and expansion of this emerging sector.
“Our region’s growing infrastructure supporting the sector, which includes the North East Satellite Applications Centre of Excellence in County Durham, is helping position the North East has a leading destination for space research, innovation and technology.”
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