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The UK’s space industry is to descend on Manchester in July 2025 as the biennial UK Space Conference comes to the city-region.
Sponsored by the UK Space Agency, the event brings together organisations with an interest in space to meet, network, discover business opportunities and help shape the future of the sector.
The UK space sector generates £18.9 billion and employs 52,000 people – and supports critical national Infrastructure, including energy grids and healthcare services. In the North-west Greater Manchester sits at the heart of a thriving space sector comprising over 180 organisations and over 2,300 space professionals – collectively termed the North West Space Cluster – as well as world-leading research facilities including the Cheshire-headquartered Square Kilometre Array and Jodrell Bank observatories (pictured), and the National Nuclear Laboratory in Cumbria.
The North-west’s space sector has been supported by investment from the UK Space Agency’s Local Growth initiative and STFC’s (Science and Technology Facilities Council) industrial cluster development, which is helping to drive its expansion, accelerate innovation and seize commercial opportunities.
Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said:
“Following successful conferences in Newport and Belfast, and after opening new satellite offices across the UK this year, we are excited to host the UK Space Conference in Manchester, the world’s first industrial city.
“We look forward to welcoming attendees from across the UK, forging new collaborations and championing the benefits of the space industry as a key provider of jobs, prosperity and innovation.“
Dr Phil Carvil, Head of STFC’s North West Cluster Programmes said:
“As we leverage space to tackle 21st-century challenges and prepare for humanity’s return to the Moon, the North West Space Cluster is excited to welcome the UK Space Conference 2025 to Manchester.
“Our businesses and institutions across the region are leading the way in space innovation and collaboration, inspiring our next generations that they too can take part in shaping the future of space and benefiting society as a whole.“
The 2025 UK Space Conference will take place at the Manchester Central conference centre in Manchester city centre on 16-17th July 2025.
