An international space expo next week in Glasgow will put the global spotlight on Scotland’s space sector.
The inaugural Space-Comm event at the city’s SEC venue on Wednesday and Thursday will help Scottish space tech firms connect to global investment opportunities and new markets.
The event, backed by the UK and Scottish governments, is expected to attract over 3,000 delegates, 70 exhibitors and 100 speakers – including government ministers and industry figures.
The UK Space Agency and European Space Agency are also due to contribute to the conference.
It will welcome global leaders, international delegations and industry experts from across government, aerospace, defence, business and academia to explore new frontiers for a new global space economy driven by government and commercial collaboration and rapid advances in technology.
There are currently an estimated 10,000 satellites in orbit and 50,000 predicted by 2030. The dynamic growth of the sector is estimated at $1.8 trillion by 2035 by the World Economic Forum.
The Scottish space industry is one of the fastest-growing in the world. Scotland builds more satellites than any other country in Europe, is home to multiple spaceports and launch operators, world leading data analysis capabilities, and universities excelling in science, engineering, cyber, robotics and AI.
Ian Murray MP, Secretary of State for Scotland, said: “This is an exciting time for the Scottish space sector. Space-Comm Expo Scotland, supported by the UK Government through the UK Space Agency, is a fantastic opportunity to bring together government, industry leaders, innovators, and academia to discuss how we accelerate the growth of Scotland’s space sector and enhance our position on the global stage. This important industry already plays a vital role in our economy and employs thousands of people across the country.”
Richard Lochhead MSP, Scottish Government, Business Minister, added: “t is hugely exciting that Space-Comm Expo, the largest gathering of the industry ever seen in Scotland, is coming to Glasgow. It will provide the perfect opportunity to showcase our talents, skills and technology helping place us at the forefront of new, ground-breaking discoveries.
“The First Minister has made clear that Scotland is open for business. With the Scottish space sector growing quickly while already supporting around 8,000 jobs, we are poised to capture £4 billion of the global space market, becoming one of Europe’s leading space nations. The Scottish Government is committed to unlocking further opportunities, investments and collaborations that will support our hugely exciting space sector.”
Dr Paul Bate, CEO, UK Space Agency, said: “Space-Comm Expo Scotland is a new and important event in Glasgow that will showcase the growing value of the space sector to the economy, the environment, and our daily lives. I’m looking forward to sharing an update on our work to drive innovation and unlock the benefits of space as part of the conference programme, and to meeting with the companies, researchers and public bodies who are shaping the future of this fast-growing industry in Scotland, and across the UK.”
Space-Comm Expo Scotland will run over two days from September 11-12 with keynote speakers, panel sessions, workshops, networking opportunities and exhibitors showcasing the latest technologies and innovations. Highlights include orbital launch vehicles manufactured by Orbex, small satellites designed by AAC Clyde Space, satcom communications with Celestia, spacecraft data-handling with Star-Dundee, 3D aerospace printing showcased by CRP Technology, and space debris and robotics simulations with Technia.
International delegations include visitors from the Nordics, Denmark’s CenSec and Swedish Space Corporation; Germany’s Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ports & Transformation and German Aerospace Centre (DLR), Malaysia Space Agency and government departments across science, technology and investment, organised by Scottish Development International.
Themes and topics in the programme incorporate; The UK’s Leadership in Space, Investment in the New Space Economy, Global Collaboration, Space Law, Cyber-Security, Satellite Manufacturing, Space Data Analysis, Launch Capabilities, In-Orbit Servicing and Manufacturing and AI for Space Sustainability.