A delegation of entrepreneurs and innovators from the North East of England has recently returned from a significant transatlantic mission aimed at promoting the region's rapidly growing space sector. The group, representing Space North East England, travelled to Orlando to participate in the prestigious Florida Commercial Space Week, an annual gathering that brings together industry pioneers with government and military officials.
Strategic Mission to Advance Commercial Space Economy
The five-day visit, which concluded over the weekend, was carefully coordinated to maximise opportunities for collaboration and investment. The delegation included prominent representatives from leading UK space companies and three of the North East's major universities: Durham, Newcastle, and Northumbria. Key regional businesses such as MSP and NEL Technologies also participated in this strategic initiative.
Building International Partnerships and Showcasing Capabilities
During their packed schedule, the North East representatives engaged in a comprehensive programme of conferences, high-level meetings, and site visits. The delegation spent two days attending SpaceCom 2026 in Orlando, where they pitched innovative products and services to potential investors and partners from across the global space industry.
Lisa Mullen, interim cluster manager of Space North East England who led the mission, emphasised the importance of physical presence in these crucial industry gatherings. "There's no substitute for being in the room where things are happening," she stated, highlighting how the delegation effectively represented the region's considerable skills and expertise to international investors.
Strengthening Academic and Industry Connections
The programme extended beyond commercial meetings to include valuable academic exchanges. The team visited the University of Central Florida to explore collaborative opportunities between industry and academia within the broader space ecosystem. Additionally, the delegation travelled to Florida's Space Coast for meetings with some of the world's most influential space organisations, further cementing the North East's position within the global space community.
Ms Mullen reflected positively on the outcomes of the visit, noting that the mission had successfully forged new collaborations and opened market opportunities while reinforcing important transatlantic links across the commercial space sector. "We hope we've done the North East proud," she commented, expressing confidence that the relationships established during the trip would significantly benefit the region's space industry, which has shown remarkable growth in recent years.
Government-Backed Initiative with Reciprocal Plans
The visit was arranged through the Government's Department for Business and Trade and hosted by the British Consulate General in Miami, demonstrating official support for the North East's space ambitions. This international engagement is set to continue with a reciprocal visit planned for next month, when a delegation from Space Florida is expected to travel to the North East to further strengthen these newly established international ties and explore additional collaboration opportunities.
