Grow Your Space Business at NETPark
Specialist laboratory, office and manufacturing space in North East England, connecting ambitious space companies with world-class research, technical expertise, skilled talent and a growing space technology cluster.
Space technology and satellite communications at NETPark
NETPark gives you a base for developing satellite communications, space surveillance, photonics, advanced electronics, instrumentation and materials. Our location within North East England’s manufacturing and digital economy also connects you with relevant skills and supply chains across Earth observation, resilient communications, space data and satellite manufacturing.
You join a community of science and technology businesses, with Durham University, the Satellite Applications Centre of Excellence, the Space Enterprise Lab and CPI’s national innovation centres all based on campus. These connections give you research expertise, specialist facilities and opportunities for collaboration within easy reach.
Our laboratories, offices and manufacturing space allow you to progress from research and development into production without relocating. Our £100 million expansion has added 285,650 sq. ft across 11 high-specification units ranging from 11,500 to 35,700 sq. ft.
Why Space Companies Choose NETPark
Growing your space technology business creates particular property and infrastructure requirements. A laboratory suitable for your early development may not support testing, cleanroom activity or production. Moving into conventional industrial space can mean compromising on facilities or relocating away from your research partners and skilled employees.
At NETPark, you have a clear route through these stages. You can begin in flexible incubator space within Plexus, move into larger laboratories and offices in Discovery or Explorer, and progress into a purpose-designed, brand-new facility. Your facilities change as you grow, while your workforce, research relationships and business connections remain close by.
You join more than 40 science and technology businesses and over 1,000 people based at NETPark. Our campus brings you together with expertise in electronics, photonics, communications, sensing, advanced materials and defence.
Space Research and Innovation Facilities at NETPark
At NETPark, Durham University’s research expertise and CPI’s applied innovation facilities provide a connected route from scientific research and instrumentation to technology development and scale-up.
Durham University’s Centre for Advanced Instrumentation develops optical instruments and imaging technologies for astronomy and space science. Based at NETPark, it brings together expertise in optics, spectroscopy, imaging and precision instrumentation that can support the development of new space technologies.
This expertise connects with Durham University’s wider space research through the Space Research Centre, SPARC. The centre brings together astrophysics, instrumentation, satellite applications and space science to address challenges including orbital protection and long-term space sustainability. Its relationships with organisations including the European Space Agency and Satellite Applications Catapult also connect this research with government and industry priorities.
Alongside this academic expertise, CPI provides the facilities and technical support needed to develop, test and scale new technologies. Its three national innovation centres at NETPark cover printable electronics, healthcare photonics and formulations, giving you access to cleanrooms, pilot-scale facilities, characterisation equipment and expertise relevant to sensors, communications technology, lightweight materials and electronic systems.
Space and Satellite Companies at NETPark
Filtronic develops and manufactures RF, microwave and millimetre-wave technology for satellite communications, aerospace, defence and critical communications. Its purpose-built NETPark headquarters has expanded its UK production and cleanroom capacity. The company’s commercial activity includes a strategic partnership with SpaceX and work with the European Space Agency on future satellite communications technology.
aXenic designs and manufactures optical components for communications and sensing, with applications in high-capacity optical links for satellite systems. Its work with Durham University also demonstrates the collaborative opportunities available on the campus.
Raytheon NORSS specialises in space sustainability, surveillance and situational awareness. Based in Orbit at NETPark, it provides tracking, analysis and risk-management services that help satellite operators understand and respond to activity in the space environment.
SEEDS develops engineered graphene technologies for energy generation and storage. Its work with advanced materials and printable inks has potential applications in lightweight structures, energy systems and other demanding space environments.
Together, these companies give NETPark expertise across communications hardware, optical components, space-domain awareness, materials and energy technology.
Supporting UK Space Manufacturing and Sovereign Capability
Space and defence increasingly rely on many of the same technologies. Companies at NETPark are developing capabilities relevant to both sectors, including resilient communications, radio-frequency and millimetre-wave systems, photonics, sensing, satellite components, advanced materials and space-domain awareness.
By providing facilities for UK-based research, development, testing and manufacture, we support the growth of sovereign space and defence capability. This helps you retain specialist skills, intellectual property and production knowledge in the UK, while strengthening trusted domestic supply chains and reducing reliance on overseas sources for strategically important technologies.
Lockheed Martin has outlined proposals for an Assembly, Integration and Test facility at NETPark that would build and test satellites. If realised, it would add a significant capability to the campus, create opportunities for UK suppliers and support the development of domestic satellite manufacturing capacity.
Connected to the North East England Space Cluster
At NETPark, you are connected to Space North East England, the regional cluster bringing together businesses working in satellite communications, Earth observation, manufacturing, data, instrumentation, photonics and space systems.
Managed by Business Durham, the cluster can help you find collaborators, explore supply-chain opportunities and take part in programmes, events and trade missions across space and adjacent sectors. The annual North East Space Conference gives you another route to meet customers, partners, investors and national space organisations.
The Space Enterprise Lab (SEL) in Discovery 1 provides a dedicated working area for space companies. You can book the SEL for events or use it as a collaboration space, and it is also home to the Satellite Applications Catapult. The Catapult connects you with specialist support, expertise, investors and innovation networks to help you grow and commercialise space-enabled solutions.
The regional offer is also being strengthened by the £50 million North East Space Skills and Technology Centre (NESST). Developed by Northumbria University with Lockheed Martin and the UK Space Agency, NESST will support research, skills and collaboration between universities and industry.
Filtronic's Growth Journey At NETPark
Filtronic is a Space North East England member based at NETPark. Watch the video to discover more about the company’s growth journey and how its location at NETPark has supported its expansion in the space and advanced communications sectors.
Space Sector Skills and Supply Chains in North East England
At NETPark, you can draw on regional expertise in precision engineering, advanced materials, electronics, communications and data analysis. These capabilities are already proven in defence, automotive manufacturing and energy, helping you find suppliers, reduce production risk and source more of what you need within the region.
Through Durham University, you can connect with researchers and graduates in physics, engineering, computer science, earth sciences and materials. New College Durham also develops technician and operator-level skills relevant to advanced manufacturing, electronics and the space supply chain.
New College Durham is also designated an Advanced Manufacturing Technical Excellence College (AMTEC), one of only four colleges in England to receive this status. By working closely with employers and delivering specialist technical education, AMTEC provides high-quality, industry-focused training that can help you recruit and develop a skilled workforce.
Laboratories and Manufacturing Space for Space Companies
Our £100 million expansion has added more than 285,000 sq. ft of laboratory, production and office space across 11 units.
The buildings include double-height areas that can accommodate high-bay manufacturing, specialist equipment and cleanroom installations. Delivered as shell space, each unit can be configured around your technical requirements.
A Connected Location for Space Businesses
From NETPark, you can access research, technical and manufacturing expertise across Durham, Newcastle and Teesside. By car, Durham is approximately 20 minutes away, Teesside 25 minutes and Newcastle 40 minutes. Our proximity to the A1(M) also makes travel to the rest of the UK straightforward.
You can reach Teesside International Airport in around 25 minutes and Newcastle International Airport in 45 minutes.
NETPark is around 20 minutes by car from two major railway stations, Darlington and Durham. Both are on the East Coast Main Line, connecting the region to London, Cambridge, Oxford and Scotland. You can reach London in under three hours from either station.
Our campus provides a landscaped working environment with green spaces and walking routes. Combined with County Durham’s housing, schools, countryside and lower cost of living, this can help you attract and retain the people needed for long-term growth.
Business support at NETPark
When you move to NETPark, our support continues. Delivered by Business Durham, our campus team takes the time to understand your plans and connect you with the right people and opportunities.
We can provide guidance on funding, skills and recruitment, future property requirements and growth planning, as well as introductions to universities, Catapults, sector networks, suppliers and potential collaborators.
Regular events and direct introductions also help you get to know your neighbours and become part of the wider NETPark community. As your needs change, you have a local point of contact ready to provide practical help and make the right connections.
Discover what NETPark could offer your business
To find out how your company would benefit from locating to NETPark please contact Sara Williams, on 01740 625 250 or email sara.williams@durham.gov.uk
