The 2025 UK Space Conference, held in Manchester, brought together leaders from across policy, academia and industry to explore one vital question: how do we move forward in space?

Under the theme Space for Growth, the two-day event highlighted the sector’s increasing role in the UK’s economy, security and scientific advancement. With space and satellite services now estimated to underpin £454 billion of wider industrial activity, 18% of the UK’s GDP, the message was clear: space is no longer a niche interest, it’s a national asset.

“The UK Space Conference in Manchester is a powerful reminder that space is not just about looking up,” said Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency. “It’s about moving forward.”

And move forward it must. Speakers and panellists examined where the sector is headed in 2025 and beyond, discussing the opportunities, the challenges and the steps needed to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of the global space economy.

The UK is already well-positioned in several key areas. It has long been a global leader in telecommunications and downstream applications, and it continues to excel in sustainability, climate science, and other research-led domains. As the commercial space sector scales, the UK’s balance of industrial capability, academic research, and a vibrant private investment landscape gives it a strong competitive edge.

Indeed, private investment in space hit record highs in 2024, with European ventures raising over €1.5 billion, a 56% increase year-on-year. Globally, private investment grew by 20% to €7 billion, and Europe’s share of global private funding surged from 3% in 2019 to 22% in 2024. However, the event also sounded a note of caution: public investment in space is lagging. In 2024, Europe accounted for just 10% of global public space spending, down from 15% in 2019, raising concerns over the balance of funding needed to support long-term infrastructure, research and national capability.

The UK Government’s response includes a growing focus on strategic priorities. Satellite communications, in particular, have been identified as a national capability area, and on the conference’s opening day, the UK Space Agency announced £4.5 million in funding for four new projects aimed at advancing satellite-based 5G and 6G systems.

From new spaceport ambitions to sustainability in low Earth orbit, and a pressing drive to clean up space, the UK Space Conference reaffirmed the vital role of space in driving innovation, economic growth and national resilience. With over 30 years of experience in the sector, Barum & Dewar is proud to support the UK’s space ambitions as a trusted supply chain partner for specialist transit containers and handling solutions.

“This year’s conference showed just how far the UK space sector has come and how much potential there still is to unlock,” said David Frame, Managing Director at Barum & Dewar. “We’re proud to play a part in this journey, working alongside clients across commercial and scientific missions as a trusted partner to deliver the protection and performance their equipment demands.”