It’s described as the UK’s biggest event in the space industry calendar, with 4,000 people expected to attend – from governments, business and academia – along with 200 exhibitors and 100 international speakers. Issues addressed will the commercialisation, security, and sustainability of space exploration and commerce.
Attendees will include UK astronaut in training Suzie Imber, Professor of Space Physics at the University of Leicester, and UK Space Agency CEO Dr Paul Bate.
“Space-Comm Expo 2024 will bring people together from across business, academia and government, science, innovation and technology, to showcase the wealth of opportunities available within the space sector and beyond,” said Bate.
“We are looking forward to welcoming attendees from across the UK and internationally, forging new collaborations and championing the benefits of space.”
You can find more information on Space-Comm Expo at the Farborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre, here.
The UK space industry is worth an estimated £17.5bn to the economy – highlights the Expo organiser, citing ADS Group’s Space Outlook 2023 – with space exports valued £5.9 billion to the UK in 2022. It consists of 1,590 organisations employing 48,800 people, and the UK government aims to grow the country’s share of the global space economy from 6.5% to 10% by 2030.
The event is supported by associations and bodies including the UK Space Agency, UK Space, and Innovate UK KTN. Industry partners include Airbus, BAE Systems, InSpace Missions, Kongsberg NanoAvionics, Lockheed Martin, MOOG, NSI-MI Technologies and Rolls-Royce.
The organisers write:
“2024 is likely to be a pivotal year for the industry with the UK aiming to be the launchpad for Europe from SaxaVord and Sutherland Spaceports in Scotland. Launch providers Rocket Factory Augsburg, HyImpulse, Lockheed Martin, Skyrora and Orbex will all be attending Space-Comm Expo.”
“Other hot topics are likely to include plans for a new UK commercial astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS), earth observation to combat climate change, the threat of cyber-attacks to satellites, microgravity experiments for health benefits, the challenge of space debris, AI robotic spacecraft and nuclear fusion to power space exploration.”
Next year, the Space-Comm Expo will move to ExCeL London in 11-12 March. Space-Comm Expo Scotland will take place at the SEC Glasgow 11-12 September, and Space-Comm Expo Dubai at the World Trade Centre 27-29 May 2025.
Image: Hub Exhibitions
See also: UK Space Agency funds £10m comms tech competition
