Space skills centre to be launched in Newcastle

Sir Robert McAlpine has started construction of Northumbria University’s North East Space Skills and Technology Centre (NESST).

From its base on the university’s city centre campus, the 900m² facility, known as the NESST building, will provide satellite manufacturing clean rooms, advanced prototyping laboratories, teaching laboratories and collaborative spaces for work with companies in the space manufacturing supply chain.

Once complete, the steel-framed centre will bring together industry and academia to collaborate on internationally significant space research and technological developments.

Professor John Woodward, Pro Vice Chancellor (International) at Northumbria University, said: “The appointment of Sir Robert McAlpine marks an exciting milestone in the development of NESST.

“The centre will be a game-changer — not only for our students and researchers, but for the region’s ambitions in the space and advanced manufacturing sectors. By combining cutting-edge facilities with strong industry partnerships, we’re creating a centre that will drive innovation, boost economic growth, and put the North East firmly on the map as a leader in space technology.”

The North East Space Skills and Technology Centre is expected to be complete in Autumn 2026.