The North West of England is set to play a central role in the global space economy after Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham signed a groundbreaking agreement with Axiom Space, developer of the first commercial space station.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will establish a framework for collaboration on space-based research, development, and manufacturing, helping to position the North West as a global centre for innovation in microgravity science and space technology.
With in-space manufacturing, biotech, and communications poised to revolutionize industries worldwide, this partnership will ensure the UK – and the North West in particular – plays a leading role in this rapidly growing sector, which is expected to be worth £490 billion globally by 2030.
The agreement builds on discussions between Mayor Rotheram and British astronaut Tim Peake, a strategic advisor to Axiom Space, and discussions between Axiom and Mayor Burnham at the South by Southwest® (SXSW®) festival in 2023. Peake has championed the UK’s potential in space-based innovation and has supported efforts to connect scientific research and commercial opportunities with UK regions.
Axiom Space is the principal provider of commercial human spaceflight services, including missions to the International Space Station (ISS), and is developing the world’s first commercial space station, Axiom Station, fostering groundbreaking innovation and research in microgravity, The company is also the developer of advanced spacesuits for the Moon and low-Earth orbit.
Liverpool City Region Mayor, Steve Rotheram, said:
“For centuries, our region has been at the forefront of innovation—from the world’s first passenger railway to breakthroughs in modern medicine. Now, we’re looking to space as the next great frontier for our expertise in advanced manufacturing, materials science, and biotech.
“This collaboration with Axiom Space puts us at the cutting edge of a global industry that’s predicted to be worth nearly half a trillion pounds within the decade. The Liverpool City Region has the talent, ambition, and infrastructure to lead the way, attracting investment, creating high-skilled jobs, and ensuring that space-based research delivers real-world benefits for people and businesses here on Earth.”
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said:
“This collaboration with Axiom Space is a great example of what can be done when our City Regions work together to drive growth.
“Space is one of the UK’s fastest growing sectors, and Greater Manchester is perfectly placed to lead this innovative work, with our strengths in advanced materials and manufacturing, life sciences, AI and Data.
“The expertise in our universities, digital sector, and manufacturing and engineering firms mean that we can seize this opportunity to create highly skilled, well paid jobs across our city region.”
