UK Space Agency invites Welsh businesses and public to get involved in the UK space sector at the LaunchUK Roadshow
Artist interpretation of UK spaceport, photo credit: UK Space Agency
The LaunchUK Roadshow seeks to engage with Welsh companies that could operate satellites, launch vehicles, spaceports, ranges or related services in the UK, or support the development of related supply chain opportunities in Wales.
Companies will make their proposals at the LaunchUK Roadshow from 10-4pm at Principality Stadium on 5 December, with a public open evening running from 6-7pm.
The UK Government is currently working to enable the launch of small satellites and suborbital flights from UK spaceports. The LaunchUK Roadshow comes to Cardiff as Llanbedr, Snowdonia, is currently a front runner to become the UK’s first spaceport.
Other potential spaceport locations include Stornoway, Kinloss, Lossiemouth, Leuchars, Glasgow and Campbeltown, which are all in Scotland, as well as Newquay in Cornwall.
New legislation to regulate launches is currently before Parliament and LaunchUK are considering proposals heard at the LaunchUK Roadshow to fund new technology and to create infrastructure to develop this new market.
UK Spaceports could access a global market for launching small satellites worth £10bn over 10 years, photo credit: UK Space Agency
In early 2018 the UK Space Agency will announce the outcome of its call for grant proposals to achieve the first launches from UK soil.
These first launch missions from the UK will expand the commercial launch market, where multiple small satellite launch vehicles and suborbital space planes could pursue rising global demand from a number of UK spaceports.
Science Minister Jo Johnson said: “We see this as an opportunity that is going to be good for businesses in this sector throughout the UK, in every part of the country.”
Freddie Martin, LaunchUK Communications Manager said: “The global market for launching small satellites will be worth £10bn over the next 10 years.
“UK Launch services could help grow an industrial ecosystem for launch services in the UK, generate opportunities for companies and communities around UK spaceports, increase access to microgravity for the UK’s scientific community and inspire the next generation of scientist and engineers.”