Durham University Showcases Cutting-Edge Space Innovation at UK Space Conference 2025

Durham University’s Space Research Centre (SPARC) and Centre for Advanced Instrumentation (CfAI) made a significant impact at the UK Space Conference 2025, presenting a dynamic portfolio of research and innovation aimed at shaping the future of sustainable space exploration.

At our stand we were pleased to showcase the university’s cutting-edge contributions to space science and instrumentation. Visitors were introduced to Durham’s work on free-space optical communications, a transformative technology that enables high-speed data transmission between satellites and ground stations using laser beams. This innovation is poised to revolutionise how data is relayed across space infrastructure, offering a faster and more secure alternative to traditional radio frequency systems.

Other key technologies included

• Freeform optics allow for highly customised optical surfaces, enabling compact and lightweight designs ideal for space missions where size and mass are critical constraints.
• Image slicers, used in high-resolution spectrographs, were demonstrated as part of Durham’s contributions to next-generation space telescopes, improving the efficiency and clarity of spectral data collection.

Complementing the CfAI’s professional research, Durham’s Undergraduate Spaceflight Society showcased its work on solid and liquid fuel rocket motors, designed and built by students as part of their experimental launch programme. 

The Space Research Centre (SPARC) highlighted its interdisciplinary research into space sustainability, including policy frameworks for orbital debris mitigation, satellite end-of-life strategies, and ethical governance of space operations. Through interactive models and policy simulations, attendees could explore how Durham’s research informs international space law and contributes to shaping responsible space exploration.

Durham’s team also engaged with industry leaders to promote its Space Leadership Short Course, designed to equip professionals with the strategic, technical, and ethical tools needed to lead in the rapidly evolving space sector.

The university’s participation reflects its growing influence in the UK space sector and its dedication to advancing space science through innovation, collaboration, and sustainability.

It was fantastic to catch up with Rosemary Coogan, Durham graduate and ESA astronaut!