Glasgow will soon welcome global leaders to explore new frontiers at the biggest space industry event ever held in Scotland

With just one week before Space-Comm Expo Scotland at SEC Glasgow on September 11-12, the countdown to launch is on. 

Space-Comm Expo Scotland will attracting over 3,000 delegates, 70 exhibitors and 100 speakers including Ministers from the UK and Scottish Government, UK Space Agency and European Space Agency.

The inaugural event will welcome global leaders, international delegations and industry experts from across government, aerospace, defence, business and academia to explore new frontiers for a new global space economy driven by government and commercial collaboration and rapid advances in technology.

The Scottish space industry is one of the fastest growing in the world, with Scotland building more satellites than any other country in Europe.

READ MORE: Scotland's space sector gets ready to bring the noise as liftoff approaches

Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray MP, said: "This is an exciting time for the Scottish space sector.

"Space-Comm Expo Scotland, supported by the UK Government through the UK Space Agency, is a fantastic opportunity to bring together government, industry leaders, innovators, and academia to discuss how we accelerate the growth of Scotland’s space sector and enhance our position on the global stage.

"This important industry already plays a vital role in our economy and employs thousands of people across the country."

Minister for Business, Richard Lochhead MSP, said: "It is hugely exciting that Space-Comm Expo, the largest gathering of the industry ever seen in Scotland, is coming to Glasgow. It will provide the perfect opportunity to showcase our talents, skills and technology helping place us at the forefront of new, ground-breaking discoveries. The First Minister has made clear that Scotland is open for business.

"With the Scottish space sector growing quickly while already supporting around 8,000 jobs, we are poised to capture £4 billion of the global space market, becoming one of Europe's leading space nations. The Scottish Government is committed to unlocking further opportunities, investments and collaborations that will support our hugely exciting space sector."

UK Space Agency CEO Dr Paul Bate will speak at the eventUK Space Agency CEO Dr Paul Bate will speak at the event (Image: Hayley Bray)

UK Space Agency CEO Dr Paul Bate said: “Space-Comm Expo Scotland is a new and important event in Glasgow that will showcase the growing value of the space sector to the economy, the environment, and our daily lives. I’m looking forward to sharing an update on our work to drive innovation and unlock the benefits of space as part of the conference programme, and to meeting with the companies, researchers and public bodies who are shaping the future of this fast-growing industry in Scotland, and across the UK.”

Space-Comm Expo Scotland will feature a two day programme with keynote speakers, panel sessions, workshops, networking opportunities and exhibitors showcasing the latest technologies and innovations.

Highlights include orbital launch vehicles manufactured by Orbex, small satellites designed by AAC Clyde Space, satcom communications with Celestia, spacecraft data-handling with Star-Dundee, 3D aerospace printing showcased by CRP Technology, and space debris and robotics simulations with Technia.

International delegations include visitors from the Nordics, Denmark’s CenSec and Swedish Space Corporation; Germany’s Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ports & Transformation and German Aerospace Centre (DLR), Malaysia Space Agency and government departments across science, technology and investment. 

Keynote speakers at the event include the UK and Scottish Government Ministers, UK Space Agency and The United Nations for Outer Space Affairs alongside business leaders, entrepreneurs and academics including CGI, AAC Clyde Space, BioOrbit, PWC, DLA Piper and the universities of Strathclyde and Edinburgh.