Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • Defence leaders to join forces at 2020 Space Conference

Defence Space

Defence leaders to join forces at 2020 Space Conference

Leaders from government, industry and academia will join forces at the Defence Space 2020 conference in London on 20th-21st May, which is organised by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Air and Space Power Association.



Above:
Flight Lieutenant Mathew Stannard.
Courtesy MoD / Crown Copyright

The conference will tackle the challenges presented by space as a military domain and the wider economic opportunities on offer. Speakers at the event will include government ministers, the Chief of the Air Staff and Commander UK Strategic Command, alongside senior leaders from the National Space Council and the newly formed US Space Command.

Advertisement
Teledyne

The MoD will use the conference to outline its strategy to counter threats posed to UK satellites and other space assets, and ensure they are protected. Up to 400 delegates from across defence will come together to discuss the next-generation technology, infrastructure and workforce necessary to keep pace with the rapidly evolving threats facing the UK in space.

Defence Minister James Heappey said: "From supporting military operations to predicting weather patterns, accessing information from our satellites is crucial to both our security and our prosperity. Protecting our satellites demands the development of cutting-edge equipment so we’re inviting the brightest and best from industry, academia and across government to discuss the transformative technology out there today."

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Mike Wigston, said: "Defence Space 2020 will be a timely demonstration of the UK’s ambition in the Space Domain: our future programmes; the opportunities as well as the challenges to our national interests in space; and a showcase for our world-class space industrial sector. Our inaugural Conference in 2018 was a huge success; the 2020 Conference will be even better."

Air Marshal (Ret’d) Greg Bagwell CB CBE, President, Air & Space Power Association, said: "As the Space Domain takes on even greater significance for defence and evolves at such a pace, it is vital that we continue to debate the critical issues in the most open and diverse forum possible.

"Defence Space 2020 will provide a springboard for the next phase of conceptual thinking, discussion and development of the UK’s approach to Space Power. Of particular importance is how emergent and disruptive technologies may play a part in the use of Space in the defence and security contexts and how the UK shapes its future strategic alliances with international space partners.

"The Conference promises to be a stimulating and informative exposé of MoD’s Space Power direction of travel and I am delighted that the Air and Space Power Association is again delivering the event."

The announcement of the conference follows a string of recent announcements on the UK’s military space programme. In October, the RAF selected a pilot to be seconded to Virgin Orbit’s ground-breaking small satellite launch programme. Flt Lt Mathew Stannard, currently a Typhoon pilot, will join the fleet of expert ‘test pilots’ trialling Boeing 747-400 aircraft from which cutting-edge satellites will be launched.

Advertisement
ODU RT

At the RAF’s Air and Space Power Conference last year the MoD outlined an ambitious space programme, committing £30 million to fast-track the launch of a small satellite demonstrator. The small satellite demonstrator, also known as Programme ARTEMIS, is being delivered by a new transatlantic team of UK and US defence personnel and industry partners.

The MoD also announced the UK as the first formal partner in the US-led Operation Olympic Defender - a multinational military effort formed to strengthen deterrence against hostile actors in space, enhance resilience and preserve the safety of spaceflight.

 

 

Advertisement
Cranfield University
Industry delivers UK defence dividend

Defence

Industry delivers UK defence dividend

2 July 2025

Research by Oxford Economics has revealed that the UK Government’s ambition to deliver a 'defence dividend' is already taking effect, with the nation’s biggest defence company, BAE Systems, contributing £13.7 billion to national GDP in 2024, accounting for one in every £200 of the country’s economic output.

DE&S sells three Royal Marines hovercraft to Pakistan Navy

Defence

DE&S sells three Royal Marines hovercraft to Pakistan Navy

2 July 2025

Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) has completed the sale of three Landing Craft Air Cushion (Light) (LCAC(L)) hovercraft and all associated spares to the Pakistan Navy.

Siemens and NVIDIA team to drive AI in advanced manufacturing

Aerospace Defence Security

Siemens and NVIDIA team to drive AI in advanced manufacturing

2 July 2025

Siemens and NVIDIA are expanding their partnership to accelerate the next era of industrial AI and digitalisation, towards enabling the factory of the future.

DSEI UK 2025 Tech Zone reflects MoD’s call for rapid defence innovation

Defence Security Events

DSEI UK 2025 Tech Zone reflects MoD’s call for rapid defence innovation

2 July 2025

With the Ministry of Defence doubling down on technology to futureproof the UK’s armed forces, this year’s DSEI UK (9th–12th September, Excel London) will unveil its updated Tech Zone with more than 100 tech companies, a hub for the cutting-edge innovation which is set to reshape British defence and security.

Advertisement
Teledyne
Marshall completes sale of Slingsby Advanced Composites to Mangohojden AB

Aerospace Defence

Marshall completes sale of Slingsby Advanced Composites to Mangohojden AB

2 July 2025

Marshall has announced the completion of the sale of its subsidiary, Slingsby Advanced Composites Ltd., to Mangohojden AB, formerly known as Goldcup 101485 AB, a privately held Swedish company seeking to develop a group of specialist aerospace and defence businesses.

Lucideon and MTC enter strategic partnership

Aerospace Defence

Lucideon and MTC enter strategic partnership

1 July 2025

Development and commercialisation organisation (DCO) specialising in advanced materials, Lucideon, has entered into a strategic partnership with the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) to drive next-gen performance in advanced ceramics.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025