Space-Comm Expo 2025 recorded a record number of delegates, speakers, and exhibitors from over 50 nations at ExCeL London 11-12 March last week, reinforcing its position as one of the UK’s largest and most influential space industry events.
The event highlighted its pivotal role for the sector supporting collaboration and accelerating growth, with a combination of inspirational keynote speakers, new technology displays and major announcements; including the UK Government Science Secretary Peter Kyle, ESA Director General Josef Ashbacher and UK Space Agency CEO Paul Bate, confirming a dramatic increase in UK contracts with ESA programmes valued at £112 million expected to deliver over £1 billion in wider UK economic benefits.
The award-winning event now in its sixth year attracted global leaders from across government, space agencies, defence, business and academia including NASA, ESA, UN and NATO alongside primes, SMEs and startups driving a new global space revolution, estimated to be valued at $1 trillion by 2030. Special guest speakers included world renowned TV presenter and physicist Professor Brian Cox, space entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson via a live link from Necker Island and astronaut Tim Peake.
Dr Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency, said: “The United Kingdom is an important space country and a global hub for earth observation, satellite communication, human and robotic exploration and space technology. It was a pleasure to come together at the Space-Comm Expo in London to present our vision for the European space sector, with a focus on economic growth, sustainable competitiveness, and European autonomy and resilience for the benefits of our citizens.”
Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said: "We already live in the age of space, with satellites underpinning 16% of the UK economy, but we have barely scratched the surface of the opportunities. The public’s interest in space is re-igniting, as is its power on the global stage, particularly for national security. With the space economy growing so quickly and becoming increasingly visible, success will be determined by the choices we make now. The UK is well positioned to benefit from this significant opportunity. Events like Space-Comm Expo are important to bring the community together to support the exchange of ideas and to unlock space for customers and investors throughout the economy, so thank you to everyone who has been involved and made it such a success."
Professor Brian Cox, said: “I am thrilled to be invited to Space-Comm Expo and the opportunity to join space professionals and leaders from all over the world. Space-Comm Expo is unique, it is where government and business come together with science and academia from all across the global space community to be inspired by the latest innovations and technology.”
The two day programme featured multiple conference theatres, panel discussions, networking, and exhibitors showcasing the very latest space technology including Amentum, Arcspace, BAE Systems, Clear Space, Dassault Systems, Endurosat, Lunasa, Open Cosmos, Siemens, and Telespazio. New product launches, MOU’s and strategic partnerships were announced by Celestia, Pulsar Fusion, SuperSharp, Space4Climate, Satellite Applications Catapult, Space Forge, and Voyager.
The event also showcased UK’s ambitions to be at the forefront of European launch plans for small satellites with SaxaVord Spaceport and launch providers including HyImpulse, Orbex, Skyrora, and RFA Augsburg. Whilst Sir Richard Branson shared his vision for space tourism flights from UK or Italy with Virgin Galactic.
Highlights at this year’s event included a space diplomacy initiative behind closed doors with Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Air & Defence Attaches and international space agencies as part of an Ambassador Programme with PA Consulting, and an Intergovernmental Summit featuring 11 space agencies and delegations presenting country showcases on their current activities and future plans. The event also featured symposiums on investment, space law and space insurance, all crucial to the growth of the sector with PWC, Seraphim, Exotopic, DLA Piper, Fragomen, and Relm Insurance.
