New £5m research centre to support North East England’s growing space industry

Durham University has launched a new £5m centre to support North East England’s growing space industry and lead on the sustainable exploration of the cosmos.

(L-R) Dr Andrew Aldrin, CEO and President of the Board of the Aldrin Family Foundation; Professor Karen O’Brien, Vice-Chancellor and Warden of Durham University; Dr Carly Beckerman, Co-Director of the Durham University Space Research Centre (SPARC); and Professor James Osborn, Director of the Durham University Space Research Centre (SPARC), at the SPARC launch.

Dr Andrew Aldrin, an esteemed scientist and son of legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin, gave a keynote speech ahead of the opening of the new Durham University Space Research Centre (SPARC).

He was joined at the opening event, at the Ogden Centre for Fundamental Physics, by Durham University Vice-Chancellor Professor Karen O’Brien, Councillor Amanda Hopgood, leader of Durham County Council, plus representatives from the European Space Agency, space sector leaders, academics, and other regional officials.

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