A SPACECRAFT manufacturing facility reopened this week after more than �2m was spent on a refurbishment and upgrade.

Astrium’s Andromeda Clean Room facility in Stevenage was unveiled on Monday by Stephen McPartland, MP for Stevenage and vice chair for the Parliamentary Space Committee (PSC), alongside the European space company’s head of site, Bob Graham. The upgrade of the clean room - where six ton telecommunication Eurostar E3000 satellites which broadcast television, radio and broadband internet across the globe are manufactured - is part of an overall �8m investment programme by Astrium on their Gunnelswood Road-based site.

The ceremony also celebrated the business’ Apprentice of the Year awards for Stevenage and another facility in Portsmouth, with Mr McPartland also helping present the winners with their awardswithout numerous awards will be involved in the presentation of these awards too.

Mr McPartland said: “It is a privilege to be given the honour of opening the Andromeda Clean Room. This is real investment in people, facilities and the future. It is a success story made here in Stevenage, which is putting us at the heart of the global space sector - one of the most valuable, fast growing sectors in the world.

“I am also delighted to offer my own support to this world class apprentice scheme and would like to congratulate all the apprentices for their achievements in what is clearly a challenging but inspiring scheme. I wish them the best of luck in their future careers in this exciting industry.”