WHY SCOTLAND IS KEY TO UK SPACE INDUSTRY GLOBAL AMBITIONS

29th August 2024

The Scottish space sector is thriving and in two weeks’ time will welcome one of the biggest space industry events in Europe, Space-Comm Expo Scotland will be held at SEC Glasgow 11-12 September. Over 3,000 delegates are expected to attend attracting global leaders and industry experts from across government, defence, business and academia.

Registration for the inaugural event is FREE showcasing the very latest innovations and technology with over 70 exhibitors and 50 speakers including the UK Space Agency and European Space Agency. Register today at: https://space-comm-scotland.co.uk

The Scottish space sector is one of the fastest growing in the world and crucial to the UK’s ambitions to capture 10% of the global space market by 2030 valued at $600 billion. There are currently an estimated 10,000 satellites in orbit and 50,000 are predicted by 2030 driven by advances in launch and satellite technology and reduced costs. The dynamic growth of the sector is estimated at $1.8 trillion by 2035 by the World Economic Forum.

Scotland’s space sector is at the forefront of driving progress for the UK with a unique combination of pioneering technology, strategic investment, academic research, government support and heritage of innovation and entrepreneurship. Geography is a major factor with Scotland’s northerly position ideal for launching satellites into polar and sun synchronous orbits, from remote and sparsely populated locations. Scotland is home to 5 of the UK’s 7 spaceports, including SaxaVord and Sutherland vying to become Western Europe’s first fully operational spaceport. Multiple launch providers include Scotland based Orbex and Skyrora, alongside international operators Rocket Factory Augsburg, HyImpulse, Lockheed Martin / ABL Space and Astraius.

Scotland builds more small satellites than any other country in Europe with Glasgow based AAC Clyde Space, Spire Global and Alba Orbital pioneers in telecommunications, climate monitoring, earth observation and scientific applications.

In parallel to spaceports, launch and satellite manufacturing Scotland has developed a unique ecosystem with collaboration across the space community facilitated by Scottish Enterprise and Space Scotland, with leading data analysis, research and test facilities, space clusters and world class academic institutions including Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt, Glasgow and Strathclyde universities excelling in science, engineering, AI, cyber security and robotics.

Commenting on Space-Comm Expo Scotland, Executive Director of Space Scotland, Dr Hina Khan said, “Having Space-Comm Expo come to Scotland is testament of the expanding and exhilarating space sector that we have in Scotland. There’s been this bubbling energy in Scotland over the last 10-15 years and that didn’t come from nowhere. There was always an acknowledgement that there was a really strong heritage of space-based research within our academic institutes, but also within our industry segment, a lot of engineering excellence related to mobile technologies, mobile phones, subsystems, power systems – and all these have facilitated the growth of the space industry. These are the building blocks of what has become the space industry here.”

Executive Chair of Space-Comm Expo and former President of Virgin Galactic, Will Whitehorn said: “What we are seeing today is an absolute explosion of innovation. We have reached a point where humanity is now totally reliant on the space industry. In Scotland the sector is thriving and one of the fastest growing in Europe. Scotland is famous for world-class downstream capabilities and technology for deep space missions. Glasgow is a world leader in satellite construction. Scotland is home to the world’s newest spaceport in the Shetland Isles and is at the forefront of UK and European launch ambitions.”

Scotland is also a global leader in promoting space sustainability with Space Scotland outlining a Strategic Roadmap and proactive industry engagement through an Environmental Task Force. Organisations will have the opportunity to “Become a Signatory” for a Responsible Space Sector initiated by the European Space Agency, at Space-Comm Expo, by completing an online form in advance and visiting the AstroAgency stand.

Space-Comm Expo Scotland is free to anyone with an interest in space, science, technology and business keen to learn more about UK ambitions and opportunities. The award winning format organised by Hub Exhibitions includes exhibitors, product demonstrations, speakers, panel sessions and 1-2-1 networking business opportunities.

The two day programme will feature a wide range of topics including satellite manufacturing, spaceports, launch capabilities, downstream data, AI, cyber security, space law, investment, skills development and space sustainability.

Space-Comm Expo Scotland is supported by the UK Space Agency, UKSpace, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Government, Space Scotland, South Scotland Enterprise, FinTech Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

For more information on exhibiting email: spacecomm@hubexhibitions.co.uk

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