Space South Central Shines at Triple Space Showcase
Space South Central championing the region at this year’s Farnborough International Space Show
We are thrilled to report on the recent whirlwind of space industry events that have kept our cluster buzzing with activity throughout March 2025. SpaceComm Expo 2025, the 40th International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment (ISRSE-40), and the Farnborough International Space Show 2025, held in consecutive weeks, marked significant milestones in our ongoing efforts to foster collaboration, innovation, and growth within the UK space industry.
SpaceComm 2025: A Stellar Gathering
SpaceComm 2025, held at ExCeL London on March 11-12, proved to be a pivotal event for the UK space sector. Space South Central was well-represented, with our ESA Ambassador, Dr. Elizabeth Clutton, showcasing the ESA Business Applications programme. The event featured an impressive lineup of speakers, headlined by Professor Brian Cox and Sir Richard Branson, who joined via satellite link from Necker Island.
Over the two days, we engaged with key industry players, including representatives from Airbus, UKspace, European Space Agency, and Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI). The first day culminated in us hosting a drinks reception for the Taiwanese delegation at University College London, attended by the Taiwanese Ambassador, Department for Business and Trade officials, and senior members of the Space Applications Catapult. Cluster companies such as EECL, Vicinity Technologies and Jaltek were present, fostering international collaboration.
ISRSE-40: A Historic UK Debut
The 40th International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment (ISRSE-40) made its UK debut in Farnborough from March 17-21, 2025. As part of the organising consortium, Space South Central played a crucial role in bringing this global summit to the UK for the first time in its 63-year history. The event brought together world-renowned experts in remote sensing and Earth observation from organisations like SUPARCO, CSIRO, DLR and the Egyptian Space Agency.
The symposium's focus on harnessing Earth observation for sustainable development resonated deeply with our mission to support innovative solutions for global challenges and included a variety of technical presentations and insights from esteemed colleagues at the UK Space Agency, NASA, ESA, UNOOSA, SSTL, and BAE Systems, among others. We saw significant contributions from the universities of Southampton and Surrey, highlighting their roles in biodiversity restoration, crop monitoring, and climate mapping, and our regional JUPITER programme, also featured with Ieuan Matthew Carney, a PhD student, describing the student earth observation payload, DAVE, which will fly on the Jovian-1 satellite.
Toby Marchant, Space South Central’s International Partnerships Manager, chairs ‘The Future of Earth Observation - Emerging Missions and Technologies’ panel.
Farnborough International Space Show (FISS) 2025: Showcasing Cluster Excellence
FISS 2025, held on March 19-20, was a vibrant showcase of the space industry's latest innovations. We took a leading role by organising a showcase for more than 20 cluster companies, sponsored by the Solent FreePort, Surrey Research Park, and Southampton Science Park. This initiative provided our members with valuable exhibition space to highlight their work and raise their profiles.
The event attracted around 3,000 attendees, offering an excellent platform for networking and business development. We engaged with numerous companies interested in the cluster, provided guidance to those seeking support, connected with students exploring career opportunities, and met with businesses looking to expand their presence in the sector.
FISS also facilitated valuable connections with policymakers and elected officials. We were honored to welcome distinguished visitors to our stand, including Lord David Willetts, Chair of the UK Space Agency, and Mark Garnier OBE, Chair of the APPG for Space. Their presence underscored the importance of our regional cluster in the national space ecosystem.
The convergence of ISRSE-40 and FISS has cemented the UK's position at the forefront of the international space market. As Gareth Rogers, CEO of Farnborough International, stated:
"For decades, the UK, and Farnborough in particular, has been a catalyst for pioneering new technologies and forging powerful relationships".
These events have not only showcased our region's expertise but also paved the way for future collaborations and innovations in the space sector. As we look ahead, Space South Central remains committed to accelerating space business growth and fostering an environment of innovation in the south-central region and beyond.
