UKspace

Just two days to go until the 2025 Farnborough International Space Show! As a founding partner, we'll be on stand 3021 and looking forward to seeing everyone attending! #FISS2025

Our feet have just touched the ground after two action-packed days in London at Space-Comm Expo. Keynotes and panel sessions featured outstanding contributors and leaders from the UK and international space community, while we enjoyed meeting friends and existing and prospective members who are keen to be part of our unique ecosystem. Can you spot yourself or your company's stand in this short timelapse? #SpaceCommExpo2025

We were pleased to be part of this important event which we hope will become a fixture in the space sector's calendar.

Our #ThanksSpace astronaut stickers were much sought after by everyone yesterday...including our favourite space-loving comedian Dara Ó Briain! I you'd like one of these must-have keepsakes, pop by our stand (A12) at Space-Comm Expo today. #SpaceCommExpo2025

Ahead of day 2 of Space-Comm Expo, we're taking a quick look back at one of the main panel sessions yesterday, moderated by UKspace Chair Doug Liddle. Addressing how we advance the future of space and deliver the capabilities we need, the panelists from industry and government offered a range of insights. Tobias Lin from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said: "One of our key challenges is that space strategy is compartmentalised across capability categories in government. The pace of change means we need to be able respond to change. We have to become more intelligent and better connected." Responding to this, Pamela Smith (Anderson) from AAC Clyde Space explained how her company has "the agility to respond to market opportunities at pace. It means we're fairly robust and resilient in a changing geopolitical situation." Lockheed Martin's Nik Smith emphasised that "the UK must really consider what's important for us as a nation. We need diversity in our national interest, policy and supply chchain. Furthermore, we must build anti fragility into our industrial base to withstand strategic shocks." Taking into consideration the global landscape, Joshua Broom from the Department for Business and Trade, said: "We need to ensure the UK remains an attractive destination to do space business, and we must remain outward facing. Additionally, the UK needs a strong base for R&D capabilities but with the capacity to scale up and have a robust industrial base throughout the supply chain." Airbus's Anisha Patel agreed, pointing to her company's Community of Space Prosperity (CUSP) programme. "We need to decide want to have in the UK as sovereign capability. Diversity of thought and applications will be crucial to this. CUSP is the front door to collaboration with Airbus in the UK, designed to grow the ecosystem and build a strong, resilient supply chain for future missions," she explained. #SpaceCommExpo2025

In a rallying call to the UK space sector, Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng told delegates at Space-Comm Expo that "we must back ourselves! We need to provide our space programmes with the right type of financial support and elevate awareness of space across Government. "Now is the time to seize this opportunity. We need to be really careful in the choices we make as a sector and stick to those choices." She also reiterated the need to "develop our national strategy to make ourselves a meaningful partner internationally...not just to keep the UK safe, but to work with our allies." #SpaceCommExpo2025

"There are new risks such as space debris and hostile actors," warned Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, during his keynote address at Space-Comm Expo. "We are at a tipping point for space and have a narrow window of opportunity to address these threats, so space is a strategic priority for the government, which we'll address in three ways. "Firstly at the national security level, which is government's responsibility. Secondly at the enterprise level, which is industry's responsibility. And thirdly as a partnership between the two." He also name checked Astroscale, ClearSpace, Airbus, Thales Alenia Space, Open Cosmos, Space Forge and Orbex for their contributions to the sector.

"The increasing number of European Space Agency - ESA contracts being won by UK space companies reflects the work done by the UK Space Agency, ourselves and other stakeholders to give our members the tools and knowledge required to showcase their capabilities and expertise, and convert this into business-winning activities," said Colin Baldwin, UKspace Executive Director. "I hope our 200+ members – from start-ups to corporations – along with the wider UK space sector, will continue to demonstrate their quality, win more contracts, and deliver continued value for ESA and the UK economy."

Hub Exhibitions and ADS Group Ltd have announced a new strategic partnership to enhance Space-Comm Expo in London, aiming to deliver "a global event of the highest standard, reflecting one the excellence and ambition of the world-leading UK space industry." Doug Liddle, Chair of UKspace, welcomed news of the strategic partnership, saying: “Opportunities to collaborate across our industry are pivotal to securing the collective success of the UK space sector. “UKspace is delighted to support ADS and Hub Exhibitions in their unified proposition, which will provide a unique platform to drive conversations about and deliver outcomes for our pioneering sector for many years to come.” https://lnkd.in/emkguSXf

Don't miss UKspace President, Dr Alice Bunn's keynote speech tomorrow afternoon (16:10-16:30) at Space-Comm Expo, on the topic of 'Driving Growth in the UK's Space Sector'. Alice will address the strategic investments and policy frameworks that are required to transform the UK into a magnet for space start-ups and innovation clusters. #SpaceCommExpo2025