The UK’s space sector will converge in Glasgow next month for what organisers are calling the country’s largest ever industry event, as policymakers warn Britain risks falling behind in the global race for commercial and scientific space leadership.
Space-Comm Expo Scotland, taking place at the SEC in Glasgow from 3rd to 4th December, is expected to draw more than 2,300 delegates, 100 speakers, and 80 exhibitors.
The two-day conference will showcase emerging technologies and explore strategic challenges facing the fast-evolving global space economy.
The event comes just days after the House of Lords’ UK Engagement with Space Committee published its report, The Space Economy: Act Now or Lose Out, which urged the government to take decisive action to secure the UK’s position in the rapidly expanding space sector.
Baroness Ashton, who chairs the committee, said only “the most strategic and forward-looking nations” would reap the rewards of the new space age. “With the right leadership, co-ordination, and investment, the UK can be there,” she said.
Colin Baldwin, Chief Executive of UKspace, the trade association representing the sector, said the event would highlight the depth of UK expertise. “Space-Comm Expo Scotland offers a unique opportunity for companies to showcase the breadth of capability across the industry, as well as for delegates to engage directly with government and commercial stakeholders,” he said.
Confirmed keynote speakers include representatives from NASA, the UK Space Agency, the Scottish Government, and Space Scotland, alongside investors, entrepreneurs, and academics from more than 30 countries. Exhibitors will span the space supply chain, including launch providers, satellite manufacturers, in-orbit servicing firms, and robotics specialists. A dedicated “Meet-the-Buyer” programme will facilitate direct engagement with senior decision-makers, while additional sessions will cover investment and space law.
The UK’s space sector currently contributes £18.6 billion to the economy, with nearly 20% of GDP dependent on satellite connectivity and data, underpinning critical services such as communications, navigation, security, and weather forecasting. The House of Lords report warned that the sector is now “critical infrastructure” in an increasingly unstable geopolitical environment.
Scotland has become a focal point for the industry’s growth, hosting satellite manufacturers including AAC Clyde Space, Spire Global, and Alba Orbital, and launch firms such as Skyrora and Orbex. The country also has ambitions for orbital launches from SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetland Islands, bolstered by a strong academic and research base.
Space-Comm Expo Scotland is organised in partnership with ADS Group and supported by both government and industry sponsors. The event follows the success of its sister conference, Space-Comm Expo Europe, held annually at ExCeL London, which will return on 4th–5th March 2026.
