The inaugural Space-Comm Expo Scotland, held at the SEC Glasgow from September 11-12, 2024, marked a pivotal moment for Scotland’s rapidly expanding space sector.
This event highlighted Scotland’s leading-edge satellite manufacturing, advanced data analysis capabilities, and burgeoning launch market, drawing significant interest and investment from the global space community.
With over 3,000 attendees, the expo surpassed expectations and reinforced Scotland’s status as a key player in the UK’s ambitious space initiatives.
More than 80 exhibitors and 120 renowned speakers contributed to an atmosphere of innovation and collaboration, underlining the nation’s position at the forefront of the industry.
Scotland’s space sector has experienced substantial growth in recent years. According to the latest “Size and Health of the UK Space Industry” report, 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 surge underscores the sector’s increasing importance to Scotland’s economy and its vast potential for further expansion.
The UK Space Agency’s Vital Support for Scottish Space Initiatives
The UK Space Agency has played a crucial role in the development of Scotland’s space industry. Since 2018, 15% of national space program funding has been directed toward Scottish organizations, fostering innovation and growth within the sector.
During the expo, UK Space Agency Chief Executive Dr. Paul Bate led an industry roundtable to discuss the future of Scotland’s 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.
“Scotland has the best sites in the UK for vertical rocket launches, and its universities are home to some of the greatest minds in space science.”
Key Investments and Advancements
The expo also highlighted several recent investments in Scotland’s space industry. These include £5 million for a suborbital rocket test at SaxaVord Spaceport, £3.5 million for Spire Global’s weather forecasting technology project, and £1.9 million for Smiths Interconnect’s space qualification laboratory in Dundee.
Additionally, the UK Space Agency has invested £1.5 million in a project led by the University of Strathclyde to accelerate the development of AI technologies aimed at improving space operations, safety, and sustainability.
Scotland’s Emerging Role in Vertical Rocket Launches
Scotland’s launch capabilities were another key focus of the event. Spaceports at SaxaVord and Sutherland are gearing up to host the first vertical rocket launches from UK soil next year.
When fully operational, these spaceports aim to support 42 annual launches, significantly boosting the UK’s launch capabilities.
The Space-Comm Expo Scotland provided numerous networking opportunities, fostering new partnerships and collaborations within the industry.
Roundtable discussions on key topics, such as boosting investments in space, sustainability, accelerating growth, and developing the future workforce, generated lively debates and innovative ideas.
Solidifying Scotland’s Global Space Industry Position
The success of Space-Comm Expo Scotland has solidified the country’s position as a key player in the global space industry.
Not only did the event showcase current capabilities, but it also paved the way for future growth and innovation.
The event’s success has already initiated discussions about its expansion for the following year, establishing it as a must-attend event on 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.”
As Scotland sets its sights on becoming Europe’s leading space nation by 2030, events like Space-Comm Expo Scotland are essential to achieving this ambition.
The expo exemplified the collaborative spirit between government, industry, and academia that is propelling the sector forward.
With continued investment, innovation, and support, Scotland’s space industry is poised for further growth, creating high-skilled jobs and significantly contributing to the nation’s economy.
