Space-Comm Expo 2024 Showcases Industry Growth – Scottish Business News

The inaugural Space-Comm Expo Scotland, held at SEC Glasgow on September 11-12, 2024, marked a significant milestone for Scotland’s thriving space sector.

The event showcased Scotland’s advanced satellite manufacturing capabilities, data analysis expertise, and rapidly growing launch market, attracting considerable interest and investment from the global space community.

With over 3,000 attendees, the expo exceeded expectations and highlighted Scotland’s position as a leader in the UK’s global space ambitions.

The event featured more than 80 exhibitors and 120 world-class speakers, creating a vibrant atmosphere of innovation and collaboration.

Scotland’s space industry has experienced remarkable growth in recent years.

The latest Size and Health of the UK Space Industry report revealed that 228 space organisations in Scotland generated a combined income of £298 million in 2021/22, nearly doubling the £157 million reported in 2018/19.

This growth reflects the sector’s increasing importance to Scotland’s economy and its potential for future expansion.

UK Space Agency’s Pivotal Role in Supporting Scottish Space Initiatives

The UK Space Agency has played a crucial role in supporting Scotland’s space sector.

Since 2018, 15% of available funding from national space programmes has been allocated to organisations based in Scotland.

This support has been instrumental in fostering innovation and growth within the industry.

UK Space Agency Chief Executive Dr. Paul Bate hosted an industry roundtable at the event, exploring the future of the Scottish space ecosystem.

Dr Paul Bate said: “Our work with Scotland’s space sector is long standing, as is Scotland’s vital contribution to the wider UK space ecosystem.

“We opened our Edinburgh office earlier this year and it is great to be in Glasgow for the first Space Comm Expo Scotland, where we want to deepen existing partnerships and explore new frontiers. 

“We know that Scotland has the best sites in the UK to launch rockets vertically from, and its universities are home to some of the greatest minds in space science.

“This is a growth sector that is at its best when we work together, and learn from one another, across governments, industry and academia. 

“Nothing we do in space is easy. But the benefits this sector brings to all our lives make it more than worth it.” 

The expo showcased several recent investments in Scotland’s space industry.

These include £5 million for a suborbital rocket test at SaxaVord Spaceport, £3.5 million for a project led by Spire Global to improve weather forecasting technology, and £1.9 million for Smiths Interconnect to enhance its space qualification laboratory in Dundee.

The UK Space Agency has invested £1.5 million in a pioneering project led by the University of Strathclyde to accelerate the development of AI technologies for improving space operations, safety, and sustainability.

Launch Capabilities: Scotland’s Emerging Role in Vertical Rocket Launches

The event also highlighted Scotland’s growing launch capabilities. SaxaVord and Sutherland’s spaceports are working towards hosting the first vertical rocket launches from UK soil next year.

When fully operational, these spaceports plan to support 42 annual launches from Scotland, contributing significantly to the UK’s launch capabilities.

The Space-Comm Expo Scotland facilitated numerous networking opportunities, resulting in new partnerships and collaborations within the industry.

Roundtable discussions on central themes such as boosting investments in space, sustainability, accelerating growth, and building the future workforce generated lively debates and innovative ideas.

Solidifying Scotland’s Position in the Global Space Industry

The expo’s success has cemented Scotland’s position as a key player in the global space industry.

It showcased current capabilities and paved the way for future growth and innovation.

The event’s success has already sparked discussions about expanding it for the following year, solidifying its place as a critical date in the global space industry calendar.

Daniel Smith, Founding Director of Space Scotland, said: “The space sector in Scotland is growing rapidly towards an ‘end-to-end’ offering that covers Europe-leading small satellite manufacture, orbital spaceflight capabilities and critically, capturing global insights from space data that underpin adjacent sector activity, environmental protection and disaster response. 

“With this growth comes a wealth of business and employment opportunities to benefit the economy across Scotland and the wider UK.

“The UK Space Agency’s new office and continued partnership with Space Scotland will help maximise these opportunities, supporting the delivery of the Scottish Space Strategy, whilst further enabling ongoing work around sustainability, skills and the creation of an increasingly diverse workforce.”

As Scotland aims to become Europe’s leading space nation by 2030, events like Space-Comm Expo Scotland play a crucial role in realising this ambition.

The expo demonstrated the collaborative spirit between government, industry, and academia that is driving the sector forward.

With continued investment, innovation, and support, Scotland’s space industry is poised for further growth, creating high-skilled jobs and contributing significantly to the nation’s economy.