The future of the UK economy, national security, and industrial leadership will be shaped in space. At the Labour Party Conference 2025, the Satellite Applications Catapult is joining UKspace to explore how our sector drives resilience, growth, and global competitiveness.
Over three panels, we will discuss advanced manufacturing as a cornerstone of industrial strategy, the critical role of space in safeguarding national security, and the rapid scaling of the UK’s thriving space economy.
Together with policymakers, industry, and academia, we will showcase how space innovation delivers impact here on Earth and positions the UK at the forefront of global opportunity.
Panel Sessions
Advanced Manufacturing Among the Stars – Charting a Course for Growth with the Industrial Strategy
29 September // 13:00 – 14:30 // Hilton Hotel, Liverpool
This panel explores the UK’s advanced manufacturing and space sectors, focusing on satellite production, dual-use technologies, and how the Industrial Strategy can support them to deliver economic growth. Discussions will cover the integration of academia, industry, and national security needs, highlighting innovations in automation, in-orbit servicing, assembly and manufacturing and the UK’s leading role in these technologies globally.
Panel:
- Ian Murray MP, MoS DSIT
- Kevin Bonavia MP
- Rory Holmes, Clearspace
- Pamela Smith, AAC Clydespace
- Sophie Bywater, Viasat
National Security Beyond Earth – Building a Resilient Space Sector in a Contested Domain
30 September // 10:30 – 11:30 // Hilton Hotel, Liverpool
This panel addresses the UK’s defence-space strategy, exploring critical military capabilities, resilience and dual-use technologies. Key topics for discussion include defence reliance on space, essential UK capabilities, international cooperation and strengthening manufacturers to boost the UK’s competitive edge in the space domain.
Panel:
- Maria Eagle MP, Former MOD Minister for Defence Procurement
- Tan Singh Desai, Chair of the Defence Select Committee
- Dinz Dinsley, 3S Northumbria
- Nick Shave, Astroscale
- Nik Smith, Lockheed Martin
- Oriel Petry, Airbus
Scaling the Heights – Driving the Rapid Growth of the UK’s Thriving Space Economy
30 September // 17:00 – 18:30 // Atlantic Pavilion Albert Dock, Liverpool
The UK space sector is building fundamental technologies that will underpin the industries of the future from advanced communications and protecting our planet, to building resilient autonomous systems. This panel explores the pivotal role of the satellite applications sector in the UK, focusing on innovation, resilience and how to deliver large-scale commercialisation of successful SMEs. Discussions will cover emerging technologies, meeting customer demand from both the civil and defence sectors, and opportunities for international collaboration.
Panel:
- Samantha Niblett MP, Chair, Women in Tech, Labour Tech Champion
- John Abbott, CEO Satellite Applications Catapult
- Geoff Busswell, Telespazio
- Louise Butt, Space South Central
