Space-Comm Expo Europe confirms final list of speakers

Above: ESA Astronaut, Major Tim Peake.
Courtesy Space-Comm 

Over 5,400 delegates, 250 exhibitors and 200 speakers from 50 nations are expected to attend one of Europe’s most influential industry events including NASA, ESA, UN and NATO. Speakers at the event will also include the UK Space Minister Liz Lloyd and both the outgoing CEO Paul Bate and newly appointed Director of the UK Space Agency (UKSA) Rebecca Evernden.

Space-Comm Expo Europe will feature two days of keynote speakers, panel sessions, symposiums and an expo showcasing cutting edge technology from space companies at the forefront of a new commercial, billion dollar, space revolution. The event will see the largest ever gathering in the UK of policymakers and business leaders from government, international space agencies, defence, primes, entrepreneurs, investors, scientists and academics. 

Key themes for the event will include ‘collaboration’ and ‘investment’ crucial to driving new technology and growth for one of the fastest growing sectors in the world, vital to defence and modern economies. Never before has space been more high profile with the convergence of global mega trends for launch, security, satellites, connectivity, data, climate, robotic and AI all converging in orbit, to redefine the future of the space industry.

Space-Comm Expo Europe is free to attend the expo with a paid conference pass required for conference theatres. 

Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Galactic, said: "We are at the dawn of a new space age and I am looking forward to chatting about the world’s most exciting industry with old friends and colleagues on 4th March. Events like Space-Comm Expo highlight how rapidly the space sector is evolving. When government, entrepreneurs, engineers and investors come together to share ideas and ambition, we are helping accelerate a new commercial space age for future generations.” 

Sir Richard will join the event via video link to be reunited with Will Whitehorn and astronaut David MacKay, the former President and Chief Pilot with Virgin Galactic from the first ever successful private spaceflight in 2021.

Speakers include:
Sir Richard Branson, founder Virgin Galactic
Major Tim Peake CMG, ESA Astronaut, Strategic Advisor Axiom Space
Baroness Lloyd of Effra CBE, Minister for the Digital Economy, DSIT
Luke Pollard, Minister of State, MoD
Dr Paul Bate, CEO, UK Space Agency
Rebecca Evernden, Director of UK Space Agency
Major General Paul Tedman CBE, Commander, UK Space Command
Chad Anderson, CEO, Space Capital
Rob Desborough, General Partner, Seraphim Space
Katya Gorbatiouck, Head of Investment Funds, London Stock Exchange
Shashank Joshi, Defence Editor, The Economist
Col. Dasilva, Commander, Delta 10, US Space Force
Dr James ‘JD’ Polk, Chief Health and Medical Officer, NASA
David MacKay, Astronaut & Pilot
Anthony Baker, CEO, Satellite Vu
Andy Hindley, Head of Defence and Security, Telespazio
Joshua Western, CEO, Space Forge
Luc Piguet, CEO, ClearSpace

Space-Comm Expo Europe takes place during an exciting and challenging period for the space industry with NASA planning new missions to the Moon and Mars, rapid advances from commercial space companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin planning multiple launches and constellations of satellites, whilst in the UK concerns have been raised over investment, strategic capabilities, the recent administration of launch company Orbex and merger of UKSA with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). Speaking at the event will be both the outgoing CEO Paul Bate and newly appointed Director Rebecca Evernden from UKSA, announced yesterday.

Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, said: “Space is a team sport and great things happen when this sector comes together at Space-Comm Expo. Our work has never been more important for economic growth and national security and events like this play a vital role in the exchange of new ideas and the creation of strong partnerships across government, industry and academia. I’m looking forward to this year’s expo and all that it will deliver.”

Now in its sixth year, Space-Comm Expo is firmly established as one of the most influential space industry events in Europe featuring over 200 speakers across four conference theatres. The event includes dedicated symposiums and roundtables for government delegations, transatlantic collaboration, European space agencies, mission control software, supply chain resilience, earth observation data, investment, insurance and space law.

Space-Comm Expo Europe features unrivalled access for government and business networking in parallel to the expo with over 250 exhibitors including primes, SME’s and start-ups: Airbus, Babcock, BAE Systems, Barclays, DLA Piper, D-Orbit, DiSTI, Fragomen, GHGSat, Lockheed Martin, OHB, PA Consulting, Relm Insurance, Serco, Skyrora, Sofant, Space Logistics Network, Telespazio and ViaSat.

Space-Comm Expo Europe is delivered in partnership with ADS Group in collaboration with government, business and international space agencies providing a forum for the space community to accelerate the commercial future of the space industry.