Space-Comm Expo, the UK’s first event dedicated to the commercialisation of space, will be hosting the first public panel discussion between four of the seven potential UK spaceports at its inaugural event at Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre on July 7-8 2021.

The panel will be chaired by Ian Annett from the UK Space Agency and will feature Nik Smith of Lockheed Martin. The session will share an update on progress, plans and aspirations for the UK’s spaceports and will bring together Melissa Thorpe from Spaceport Cornwall, Yvette Hopkins from Shetland Space Centre, John Whalley from Space Wales Leadership Group and Roy Kirk from Space Hub Sutherland. They will share updates on their progress, plans and aspirations for the future – delving into the current challenges in developing sustainable long-term prospects, and their aims to support a step change in the economic impact of UK space services.

Building on the discussion, Ian and John will also provide additional perspectives on the role of space hubs in the UK, sharing their aspirations and strategy for the future of UK spaceflight.