The UK Space Conference
Last week more than 1,800 people attended The UK Space Conference, the first major international event to be held at the newly opened ICC Wales. Representatives from the UK Space Agency, the European Space Agency, NASA and the Australian Space Agency attended.
During the conference it was announced that The Snowdonia Spaceport Development Plan will receive the first award of funding under the UK Government’s £2 million Horizontal Development fund. The Snowdonia Spaceport will receive up to £500,000 via the UK Space Agency. This will be used to support plans to create a centre for space Research and Development, training and satellite launch, building on Llanbedr Airfield’s rich heritage in experimental flight testing.
Space sector organisations in Wales are growing
Wales is already home to unique space expertise and facilities with the number of space sector organisations growing by more than a third since 2015. Since 2015, Wales has seen a 34% increase in space sector organisations (47 space organisations up from 35) and nearly a 40% increase in space sector employment (increase from 370 employees to 517).
Kevin Foster MP, UK Government Minister for WalesThis is an exciting time for the space sector in Wales. With this new UK Government funding we have the opportunity to play a significant role in shaping the future space economy...A spaceport at Llanbedr would cement our reputation for innovation and take Wales into the commercial space age, creating jobs and strengthening the aerospace supply chain across the country
The conference highlighted a further raft of sector-specific funding initiatives in Wales.
The UK Space Agency has worked with the Welsh Government to announce new funding for satellite enabled technology and applications to support remote healthcare services in rural Welsh communities. The project will conduct a proof-of-concept demonstration using space technology development, showing how satellite-enabled drones could be used as part of a broader satellite-enabled network.
The Welsh Government is committed to the space sector
Ken Skates, Welsh Government Minister for Economy and TransportWales has a real opportunity to take advantage of the commercialisation of space and play an important part in growing the UK space sector to the 2030 target of 10% of the estimated £400bn global space economy....Developments which we are backing including at Llanbedr are a clear demonstration of the Welsh Government’s commitment to the sector
The skills and expertise here mean the sky really is the limit
Dr Graham Turnock, Chief Executive of the UK Space AgencyThe space sector in Wales is growing and it’s exciting to be in the fantastic new International Convention Centre Wales for the UK Space Conference 2019, which I’m sure will spark new collaborations and partnerships.....we are working to boost the Welsh space sector even further. The skills and expertise here mean the sky really is the limit.
The first international event to be held at the ICC Wales
The UK Space Conference is the first international event to be held at the newly opened ICC Wales convention centre. It was organised by a committee chaired by the UK Space Agency and supported by a representative from industry and academia. The UK Space Agency ensures Government investments in space science and technology deliver significant value to the UK economy and people’s lives. The UK Space Agency is an executive agency, sponsored by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy.
The ICC Wales is an £83.7m joint venture between Celtic Manor and Welsh Government, ICC Wales can accommodate more than 5,000 delegates and includes a 4,000sqm pillar-free main hall, a 1,500-seated auditorium, 15 flexible meeting rooms, a double-height glass atrium with views of the surrounding Coldra Woods and a 2,500sqm outdoor plaza.
ICC Wales is located within the grounds of the Celtic Manor Resort and managed by the Celtic Manor Resort’s expert leadership team responsible for the successful delivery of the 2014 Nato Summit and the 2010 Ryder Cup.
Find out more...
Find out more about the Key sectors in Wales via our Trade and Invest Website.
For more information about the ICC Wales, please visit their website.
Published 3 October 2019