Space Tech in 2024: A Year of Transformation and Growth Reflected at SpaceTech Expo Europe

The space tech sector has experienced significant growth and transformation in 2024. Geopolitical and commercial communication tensions are driving nations to bolster their independent space capabilities, leading to a new era of "astropolitics".

The NewSpace market is doing very well as it is fuelled by both increased government and private investment. Therefore it came as no surprise that SpaceTech Expo 2024 in Bremen added an extra hall to accommodate this extra interest, especially from the finance sector who were there in many cases as first-time exhibitors to provide investment funding to those seeking a merger or acquisition. Space industry gossip relating to a potential future Starlink IPO helped them to shape both potential client and investor sentiments.

For SE-Training exhibiting in Hall 4, it was a busy show as we returned for our 5th year. The increased number of exhibitors, and the location of our stand at A33, helped us to promote systems engineering and other technical based training to a wider than previous show audience.

There were questions about training from individuals in sales and in production, and one manufacturing plant manager asked specific questions related to ECSS standards as it was starting to encroach into his work domain for the first time. Another in sales, working as a technical pre-sales executive, was prompted because a client had won a contract related to microgravity research. He, being from the traditional pharma side in a small company, took it upon himself to attend the show as a visitor. He found us at the show and was pleased to discover that Mike, Niels and others were on the stand and able to help answer questions and point him towards resources regarding space applications, standards and documentation.

Martin Hoppe showcased his self-developed open source RePoSyD tool. It was Martin`s first time at the show and his knowledge shares, tips and tricks to help gather requirements were well received by those who spoke to him. A number revisited the stand more than once driven by their own curiosity, fascinated by the fact he had built it himself. What started as a tool to help himself has now become something which he is now happy to offer to others.???

Niels Malotaux, an SE-Training trainer, spoke to many senior executives and project managers about quality and on-time topics. His actual work experience in electronics, embedded systems and systems design training resonated with those he spoke to, because he had direct or similar experiences to some of their problems, making it easy to offer advice or make practical suggestions to help them.

A key take-away from the Spacetech Europe 2024 show this year was a “pre-COVID” level of interest, which was supplemented by a natural growth in interest and attendance at the show. Several SE-Training clients were exhibiting, while many attended as visitors.

To help them stay refreshed and to network with some of the stand visitors, the SE-Training stand was declared a “No Becks Zone.” Mike (who we all know loves his cup of tea and real ale), decided that this was the year to have “Beer O`Clock” starting at 4PM on Tuesday and Wednesday. Christian and Andrew sourced Union Brauerei (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) craft beers and Martin brought along his crate choice from the Hamburg area. All who participated enjoyed themselves and it presented a great opportunity to network with other exhibitors and to network clients with each other, as we do at SE-Training events. A number of locals expressed their thanks that we were “supporting the little guy” in the home city of Becks Beer.

SE-Training must give thanks to Gordon McHattie, Event Director and his team for working tirelessly to take SpaceTech Expo Bremen to new heights (pun intended). Dates for 2025 have already been released as 18 to 20 November 2025, so do not forget to bookmark the show into your plans for 2025.

What can you expect to see? Looking into the crystal ball for 2025 and knowing from past years attending as an exhibitor, SE-Training will expect to see more coverage of regulatory measures linked to climate disclosure, greater diversity of countries competing for low-cost return-to-Earth business as well as research backed innovations in point-to-point delivery and space-based manufacturing seeking venture capital investments. It is one of the reasons why SE-Training offers a wide variety of in-company solutions, from a systems engineering foundation course to a multi-module team leaders for tomorrow course and coaching.?

Overall, 2024 promises to be a pivotal year for the space tech industry, marked by technological advancements, innovations, geopolitical competition, and increased commercialisation.