UK Space Power Conference 2026

About the UK Space Power Conference

The UK Space Power Conference is a new two-day forum for discussing how Britain develops, governs and uses national space capability. It takes place on 23 and 24 September at IET London: Savoy Place, with online access also advertised. The conference is owned and led by UK Space Command, delivered with the Air & Space Power Association and Freeman Air & Space Institute.

The format combines conference sessions, an exhibition and networking. Its theme, “Secure in Space, Prosperous at Home”, links defence requirements with civilian services and economic activity dependent on space infrastructure. Published areas include strategy and reform, operations, international collaboration, the National Armaments Director Group space-systems portfolio, cross-government “One Space” working and the City of London’s reliance on positioning, navigation, timing and communications. This connects military direction and procurement with industry delivery and national resilience. The organiser names government, military, agency, academic and industry contributors, but the final agenda controls confirmed individuals and session order. Online delegates should verify which programme and networking elements are included remotely, while exhibitors and sponsors follow separate routes.

Event history and organisers

The 2026 meeting is the inaugural UK Space Power Conference, so it should not be described as a long-running event series. Its lineage comes instead from the organisations behind it. UK Space Command leads military space operations, workforce and capability within the United Kingdom’s defence structure. The Air & Space Power Association has an established role convening professional defence discussions and delivering conferences, while the Freeman Air & Space Institute at King’s College London contributes research and strategic analysis. Their partnership gives the first edition a defined institutional purpose: bringing government, defence, academia and industry together after major policy and organisational changes. The programme is timed around implementation questions arising from defence reform, investment priorities and national space strategy. IET London is the venue rather than an organising body. Because this is the first edition, future continuity should not be assumed; claims about audience, programme and access should remain tied to the official 2026 page and current organisers.

Topics and themes

The conference asks how the United Kingdom can remain secure in space while turning space-enabled capability into wider resilience and prosperity. Its programme connects policy with operations and delivery.

• Strategy and reform: sessions examine governance, priorities and how defence changes affect the organisation and funding of national space activity.
• Operations and partnerships: UK commands, allies and agencies consider current missions, cooperation and the integration of space across military activity.
• Procurement and capability: the space-systems portfolio links operational requirements with acquisition, industry engagement and technology development.
• National resilience: secure communications, Earth observation and positioning, navigation and timing underpin defence, finance and other critical services.
• Prosperity and industry: the programme considers how government demand, responsible behaviour and commercial innovation can strengthen the UK space enterprise.

Who should attend?

The main audience is UK defence and government personnel working on military space policy, operations, acquisition or cross-government coordination. Allied military and agency representatives can use the conference to understand British priorities and identify areas for cooperation. Space companies, defence contractors and specialist suppliers may gain insight into capability needs and procurement direction, while following published exhibition or sponsorship routes where relevant. Researchers, academics and policy specialists can place current institutional changes within strategic context. Banks, telecommunications providers and other critical-infrastructure organisations have a specific reason to follow the resilience and positioning, navigation and timing discussions. The event is professionally focused rather than a public festival. Online attendance may suit participants seeking conference content without travel, but remote access and networking inclusions should be confirmed before registration.

Practical information

The conference runs at IET London: Savoy Place on 23 and 24 September, with an online option. The venue is on the Victoria Embankment near central London transport.

Confirm registration category, remote-access inclusions, the final agenda and any planned evening reception. Exhibitors and sponsors should follow the separate organiser route rather than general delegate registration before making arrangements.