Space Park Leicester to bring NASA-proven leadership training to Leicester for international five-day executive programme
Space Park Leicester has joined forces with Australian innovation consultancy Crazy Might Work to launch a new executive development programme combining NASA-proven leadership techniques with practical insight into the global space sector.
Taking place at Space Park Leicester from 9–13 November 2026, the NASA 4-D Executive Space Programme will bring together two professional development courses, a two-day NASA 4-D Leadership Programme, delivered by Crazy Might Work, and Space Park Leicester’s three-day Executive Guide to Space.
Participants can attend either programme individually or combine the two for a five-day executive experience designed to develop both leadership capability and a deeper understanding of one of the world’s most innovative and fast-moving sectors.
The collaboration brings an internationally established leadership programme from Australia to the UK and combines it with the University of Leicester and Space Park Leicester’s decades of experience in space science and engineering.
The NASA 4-D Leadership Programme focuses on the human dynamics behind successful teams. Originally developed by former NASA Director of Astrophysics Charlie Pellerin, the 4-D framework has been used by more than 1,500 NASA project and engineering teams. Crazy Might Work has subsequently updated the programme with contemporary neuroscience and immersive experiences drawn from the current space programme.
Paul Hawkins, Chief Combobulator at Crazy Might Work, and lead facilitator of the programme, said: “Space analogues have become the leading laboratory for social and human performance research on the planet as we prepare astronauts for long space travel, so it’s very exciting to be able to share learnings and space grade simulations with leaders around the world.”
Participants will explore behaviours that help leaders create cohesive, high-performing teams, including building shared purpose, developing individuals, establishing clear accountability, challenging dysfunctional behaviours and creating a collective vision.
Following the two-day leadership programme, participants can continue with The Executive Guide to Space, delivered by Space Park Leicester from 11–13 November.
Designed for technical and non-technical professionals, the three-day course provides a strategic overview of how space missions are conceived, designed, built, launched and operated. Topics range from the commercial, scientific and strategic importance of space to space engineering, regulation and governance.
The programme draws on the University of Leicester’s more than six decades of involvement in space research and missions, including work connected with major international programmes involving ESA, NASA and JAXA.
Professor Nigel Bannister, Deputy Director at Space Park Leicester said:
“Space is an international endeavour, so it is particularly exciting to be working with Crazy Might Work in Australia to bring this programme to Leicester.
“Technical expertise alone does not deliver ambitious missions – organisations also need leaders who can create the conditions in which talented people work effectively together. By combining the NASA 4-D approach with Space Park Leicester’s expertise in the science, engineering, strategy and regulation of space, we can offer participants something genuinely distinctive.
“Whether someone already works in the space sector, is preparing to enter it, or simply wants to become a more effective leader, this week offers an opportunity to develop skills and perspectives they can take straight back into their organisation.”
The programme has been structured to give organisations flexibility in how they participate. Leaders from any industry can attend the two-day NASA 4-D Leadership Programme.
Professionals looking to build their understanding of the space sector, including those moving into the industry, technical specialists and people working in project management, policy, marketing, legal, procurement or finance, can attend the three-day Executive Guide to Space on its own, or participants can combine both for the complete five-day experience.
Full programme and pricing details are available at www.space-park.co.uk/space-cpd.
To explore Space Park Leicester partnerships, missions, residents, facilities, training programmes and innovation products, visit space-park.co.uk or to learn more about the University of Leicester visit le.ac.uk/.
Main image: Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin walks on the surface of the moon on July 20, 1969, in a photograph taken by Neil Armstrong. Credit: Unsplash
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