The Take Off for the UK Space Industry

The UK’s space industry was launched into the stratosphere at Space-Comm Expo.

The sector gathered at Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre 7-8 September once again for the conference and exhibition, focusing on revolutionising the UK space sector.

The UK space industry contributed £16.5 billion turnover, £5.3 billion exports, 47,000 direct jobs and 2,300 apprentices to the UK in 2021 alone, according to the newly launched UK space sector outlook from ADS Group.

Organised by Hub Exhibitions in partnership with Farnborough International, Space-Comm Expo is the UK’s biggest space-focused event, with a presence of over 150 exhibitors, thousands of attendees and 80 keynote speakers and experts across the programme. 65% bigger than the inaugural event in 2021, more than 35% of the businesses exhibiting at the event were international, with 20% of the show floor from the US alone.

On Wednesday 7 September, BAE Systems announced its plan to launch its first multi-sensor satellite cluster, known as Azalea™, into low Earth orbit in 2024 to deliver high-quality information and intelligence in real time from space to military customers.

Moderated across the two days by TV science presenter Dallas Campbell, the Space-Comm Expo conference programme saw space scientist Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock MBE, Deputy CEO for Programme Delivery at UK Space Agency Ian Annett and Director of Technology Demonstrations at Nasa Space Technology Mission Directorate Trudy Kortes, Head of Strategy, Space At BAE Systems Elizabeth Seward, and Head of Strategy for Intelligence at Airbus Defence & Space John Murtagh.

Rob Sherwood, Managing Director of Hub Exhibitions, commented: “Over the last two days we have seen thousands of experts through our event doors discussing the exciting future of the commercial space industry. Space-Comm Expo has cemented itself as the catalyst to bring together established aerospace and space leading businesses with innovative start-ups and SMEs who are creating a new dynamic for the sector.

“Thank you to our exhibitors, attendees and industry partners who continue to support the development of the event and, more importantly, the industry.”

Gareth Rogers, CEO of Farnborough International, added: “It has been another fantastic year at Space-Comm Expo, with substantial demand and growth seen across the event. This is a pivotal time in the space industry and Space-Comm Expo proves that the UK is pioneering the way. I look forward to welcoming the sector back to Farnborough International 2023.”

Space-Comm Expo will return to Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre 6-7 September 2023.

For more information on the expo or to register your interest for 2023, visit www.space-comm.co.uk.