Space-Comm Expo survey: 2025 trends and challenges for a new space revolution

The Space-Comm Expo survey includes insights from thought leaders and influencers from government, aerospace, defence, business, and academia. The award winning expo series hosts events at ExCeL London 11–12 March, Dubai World Trade Centre 6–7 October, and SEC Glasgow 3–4 December in 2025. The events regularly attract NASA, ESA, UN, and government ministers alongside business leaders, entrepreneurs, and academics at the forefront of a new space revolution.

The global space industry is estimated to grow to $1 trillion by 2030 with the number of satellites predicted to triple from 10,000 to 30,000. When asked what level of growth organisations were forecasting in the next 12 months; 29% estimated 10–25% growth, 13% estimated 25–50% and 9% estimated 75–100% growth, highlighting a positive outlook for the sector.

The top three trends for global space industry in 2025 highlighted two complex and multi-faceted areas in particular; 68% selected space sustainability and debris management, and 65% selected artificial intelligence and data analytics, with 45% also highlighting satellite internet and connectivity.

The biggest challenges to growth for the commercial space sector in 2025 ranked as follows; high costs and funding limitations, talent shortage and skills gap, technical complexities and risks, regulatory and policy barriers, limited market demand and adoption, and competition from established players.

In terms of international regions for exploring growth, Europe came first followed by North America, Asia, Middle East, Africa, and South America.

With the international nature of space, when asked what the most important areas for global collaboration are; 60% ranked space debris and sustainability, 44% regulation and space law, 33% defence and security, 26% space traffic management, 23% earth observation and climate control, 23% space exploration to the moon and mars, and 18% satellite internet and connectivity.

When exploring the biggest drivers for the industry in the next five years for space missions; 48% saw a balance between government and the commercial sector, 36% saw the sector increasingly being driven by commercial ambitions, and 16% primarily government with some commercial support.

The most pressing top five regulatory and compliance issues were ranked as follows; space debris and sustainably, licensing and compliance procedures, international collaboration, data privacy and cybersecurity, ownership and utilisation of space resources.

The top five most critical skills for the growth of the space sector were; AI and robotics, aerospace design and engineering, systems engineering and project management, cyber security and software development, data science and machine learning.

The annual Space-Comm Expo survey highlights not only the trends and challenges for the space industry for the year ahead, but also confidence and optimism in one of the world’s most vital industries to geopolitics, security, and economics, driven by rapid advances in technology and innovation.

Space-Comm Expo is the UK and Europe international event series where government, business, science, and academia come together to explore the biggest trends and challenges shaping the future of a new space revolution. Over 200 exhibitors, 150 speakers, and 5,000 delegates are expected to attend Space-Comm Expo at ExCeL London 11–12 March 2025 headlined by physicist and TV broadcaster Professor Brian Cox. The event features keynote speakers, multiple conference theatres, panel sessions, symposiums, and 1-2-1 networking opportunities. Now entering its fifth year, Space-Comm Expo is dedicated to supporting and promoting growth for the UK and global space industry.

Register for FREE to visit Space-Comm Expo at ExCeL London 11–12 March 2025: https://bit.ly/3YH5OmR