SPACE


OUT OF THIS WORLD S


pace is going from strength to strength as a domain of both commercial and military


importance in 2024. In the UK alone, the market reached £17.5 billion in value in 2020/21 (latest report). Following on from some major milestones in 2023, the industry heralds the continued fall in launch costs, greater accessibility, and an increased footprint for British innovators amid efforts to set up more launch sites. Meanwhile, orbital competition is very much alive with the US and China as the primary adversaries. Considering this, Welding World looks at the Space-Comm Expo recently held in Farnborough and provides and update on the UK-based spaceports. Space-Comm Expo 2024 was the


largest and most influential event for the UK space industry, announcing a record number of visitors with over 100 speakers, 170 exhibitors and 4,605 attendees including global leaders from across government, business, aerospace and defence who visited Farnborough earlier this month. Space-Comm Expo organised by Hub


Exhibitions is at the heart of UK ambitions and a new global space economy driven by government collaboration with business and rapid advances in science and technology, opening up new opportunities for the commercialisation of space. Exhibitors included Airbus, Astroscale, BAE, Endurosat, Jacobs, In-Space


Missions, Moog, Rolls-Royce, Siemens, Space Florida, Viasat and suppliers from the UK and the global space ecosystem. Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK


Space Agency, says: “This year’s Space- Comm Expo has been a fantastic event, with so much excitement and energy across the two days. We have seen and heard from much of the UK space sector and beyond, with everyone here united in championing the benefits of space for our prosperity and protection on Earth.” The success of Space-Comm Expo over


the past 5 years has led event organisers Hub Exhibitions to announce plans to move the event from Farnborough to London ExCeL in 2025 for a more central location to attract even greater numbers and expand to a series of three events. Headlining Space-Comm Expo 2025 at London ExCeL 11-12 March will be Professor of Particle Physics, media and musician Brian Cox and space business pioneer Will Whitehorn. Space- Comm Expo Scotland will take place at the SEC Glasgow 11-12 Sep 2024 and Space-Comm Expo Dubai at the famous World Trade Centre 27-29 May 2025. Space-Comm Expo attendees this


year included the UK Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation Andrew Griffith MP and astronaut Axiom 3 Commander Michael Lopez-Algeria, with leaders from UK Space Agency, Departments of Trade and Transport, Ministry of Defence, UK Space Command, and visiting leaders from NASA, ESA,


38 / WELDING WORLD MAGAZINE - ISSUE 02 - MARCH 2024


NATO and international delegations, alongside Start-Ups, SMEs and Primes. Doug Liddle, Director, Space, BAE


Systems Digital Intelligence, says: “As a key sponsor of Space-Comm Expo 2024, we see the event as a strategic opportunity for us to engage with existing and potential future industry partners and customers, but also for recruitment and STEM outreach. The event continues to get bigger and better each year, and we’re proud to be a part of it.” Kata Escott, Managing Director of Airbus


Defence and Space UK, says: “Space- Comm Expo is a brilliant opportunity to connect with our partners in industry, academia and government, to deepen our collaboration and grow our sector in the UK. It’s a great to speak there about the work Airbus is leading to connect, grow and inspire our ecosystem.” Patrick Biver, Space Business


Development Manager, Moog Europe, said: “As an active member of the UK space industry, Moog is pleased to once again sponsor and exhibit at this year’s Space-Comm Expo. The show continues to grow and highlight the many exciting opportunities across the sector.” The space industry has never been


more high profile currently worth £17.5 billion to the economy with UK ambitions to secure 10% of the global market estimated at £400 billion by 2030 and plans to become the launchpad for Europe with vertical rocket launch from Scotland later this year [see pages 39 to 42].


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