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Space Research Centre
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Space Leadership Programme

Gain the strategic insight to navigate complexity, drive innovation and shape your organisation’s future in space.

Whether you’re entering the space economy or already working within it, this four-day course builds strategic understanding of key technologies, applications, industry dynamics, international relations, law, and how to manage uncertainty. You’ll explore where the opportunities lie - and how your organisation can pivot, grow or lead in this rapidly evolving sector.
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📅 1-4 June 2026 
📍 Durham University Business School  
💷 £1,999 standard | £1,499 for North East SMEs* 
Email: Sparc@durham.ac.uk 
Booking: Event Durham Payment Portal

Lead with Confidence

The global space sector is growing rapidly, creating new opportunities for innovation, investment and sustainability. Yet for organisations seeking to engage with space – or deepen their existing involvement – the landscape is complex. From regulation and commercial models to geopolitical risk and environmental responsibility, leaders must be equipped to make informed, strategic decisions.

Durham University’s Space Leadership Programme is designed for senior professionals across engineering, manufacturing, consultancy, law and digital sectors. Whether you're preparing to enter the space economy or already working within it and want to broaden your understanding of deeper policy, governance and sustainability issues, this four day course will give you the knowledge and confidence to lead effectively.

Delivered by experts from Durham University Space Research Centre, the programme explores law, policy, orbital sustainability, innovation pathways, and commercial strategy. You’ll gain the insight needed to evaluate risks, identify opportunities and shape your organisation’s role in a changing space environment.

If you're serious about building long-term capability in the space sector, this course offers the tools and context to lead with purpose.

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for senior professionals from sectors such as:

  • Engineering and advanced manufacturing

  • Law and consultancy

  • Digital and information technology

  • Aerospace, defence and logistics

Ideal participants are:

  • Exploring entry into the space sector

  • Seeking to expand or diversify existing offerings

  • Preparing for strategic leadership in high-growth, high-complexity environments

Why Attend?

By joining the Space Leadership Programme, you will:

  • Gain a comprehensive understanding of the UK and global space landscape

  • Learn about applications, technologies and regulatory frameworks

  • Explore commercial models, investment strategies and risk management

  • Assess your organisation’s space readiness and growth potential

  • Build valuable networks with peers, academics and industry leaders

Programme Overview

Day 1: The UK Space Sector

  • The UK Space Sector: Part I: Research and Industry
  • The UK Space Sector: Part II: Defence and Security
  • The UK Space Sector: Part III: UK Space Laws, Regulations, Export Controls
  • The UK Space Sector: Part III: UK Space Laws, Regulations, Export Controls
  • Roundtable: Challenges and opportunities ahead for the UK in space

Day 2: The Physics and Technology of the Space Age

  • The Space Environment and Orbital Dynamics
  • Satellite Communications, Remote Sensing, and Earth Observation
  • Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Technology
  • Space Domain Awareness and Rendezvous/Proximity Operations
  • Mission Design and Space Robotics
  • AI applications in Space

Day 3: The Space Economy, Business, and Innovation

  • Space Industry Business Models
  • Disruptive Innovation, Space Sustainability, and the Economy of Space
  • Beyond the Hype: Future Applications in Space
  • Obtaining funding and working with Primes

Day 4: Settling Accounts: Astropolitics and Law

  • A geopolitical history of the Global Space Age
  • Assessing Military and Economic Space power
  • The Galileo Dispute and Political Risk
  • The UN and International Space Law

Fees and Booking

£1,999 standard | £1,499 for North East SMEs* 
Includes tuition, lunches and a formal networking dinner.
Accommodation is not included

More information email: sparc@durham.ac.uk 
Booking: Event Durham Payment Portal


* Discounted rate available to organisations that meet the EU SME definition (fewer than 250 staff and turnover less than €50 million) and are based in the North East Combined Authority (NECA) region. University staff must also be based at NECA-region institutions.

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Getting here by road

Durham city centre is only two miles from the A1(M). Leave the motorway at Junction 62 on the A690 Durham - Sunderland road and follow signs to Durham City Centre.

Durham is 264 miles from London, 187 miles from Birmingham, 125 miles from Edinburgh and 67 miles from York.

Public transport

There are several express coach services daily from most major cities. Durham is well served by both regional express services and the local bus network. From the city bus station - a short walk from the railway station - a bus service runs every 15 minutes past the Colleges on South Road.

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Getting here by air

Durham is 30 minutes drive from Newcastle International Airport and about 40 minutes from Teesside International Airport. Both have regular domestic connections and international flights. Durham is linked to Newcastle Airport by rail and metro.

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Getting here by train

A number of train operators offer direct and regular routes to Durham Railway Station, including London and Edinburgh. Durham is around 3 hours from London, just over 3 hours from Birmingham, 2½ hours from Manchester, 1½ hours from Edinburgh and 45 minutes from York.

 

Kings Cross station

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The Space Leadership Programme is part-funded by the EPSRC North East Space Communications Accelerator (NESCA) Place Based Impact Acceleration Account: EP/Z536301/1.