1. Focusing on Space and Satellites Sector’s High-Growth Areas 

Several high-potential areas for UK leadership were identified, including: 

• In-orbit servicing, assembly, and manufacturing 
• Earth observation and climate monitoring 
• Satellite communications, especially direct-to-device technology 
• Space sustainability and debris management 

2. Skills and Talent Development in the Space and Satellites Sector 

Ensuring a pipeline of skilled professionals was seen as crucial for the sector's growth. The group discussed ideas to push this even further, including having more active talent management (particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), creating more apprenticeship opportunities, and making the space sector more visible and attractive to young talent. 

3. Effective Communication and Public Engagement on the Sector’s Importance 

The roundtable participants emphasised the critical importance of improving how we communicate about the space and satellites sector. This includes both internal industry dialogue and external public engagement. Key points raised included: 

• The need to better articulate the real-world benefits of space technology to the public, particularly in areas where the UK leads 
• Developing clearer messaging about career opportunities in the space sector 
• Improving coordination between industry stakeholders to present a unified voice on UK capabilities 
• Creating more engaging content to highlight UK space capabilities and achievements in practical applications 

There was particular emphasis on the need to demonstrate how space technology contributes to everyday life, from weather forecasting to navigation systems. While many associate the industry with space exploration, the UK’s strengths lie in these practical applications. In a constrained financial environment, the sector needs to build broad public support for the areas where the UK has genuine competitive advantage. 

The significance of this infrastructure cannot be understated – a disruption to global navigation satellite systems alone could cost the UK over £7 billion per week. This improved communication strategy would help attract both investment and talent to the sector. 

Continuing the Conversation 

In the weeks since our roundtable, we a pleased to announce that we have responded to the government's Industrial Strategy Green Paper consultation. Building on the themes we have explored above, in our previous blog and the Space for Growth report, our submission emphasised several key points that align with both our roundtable insights and broader sector objectives. 

Particularly encouraging were how well our roundtable discussions aligned with the government's strategic priorities. The UK's approach to space investment has been remarkably efficient, with every £1 invested generating £9 in spillover benefits. The high-growth areas we identified – from in-orbit servicing to Earth observation – represent significant opportunities for UK leadership. Meanwhile, our focus on skills development and improved sector communication directly addresses key enablers of growth identified in the consultation. 

As we look ahead, the space sector stands ready to play its part in driving UK economic growth. The combination of our high-growth potential, enabling capabilities across multiple industries, and strong innovation ecosystem positions us well to contribute significantly to the UK's industrial strategy objectives. We look forward to continuing this productive dialogue with government stakeholders and industry partners as we work together to realise these opportunities.