Inmarsat, the world leader in global, mobile satellite communications will showcase its leading role in the UK space sector at the UK Space Conference in Newport, Wales.

As well as supporting UK small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) as they look to enter the sector with innovative technology, the companys world-leading capabilities will be highlighted through an immersive virtual reality display on stand C15.

Conference delegates will have the opportunity to hold an Inmarsat satellite in the palms of their hands, view them in orbit as well as plot their footprint to see how they provide truly global coverage. They can even take them out of orbit and into the lab to walk around them and stand next to the satellites to see their true size.

As well as the existing satellites in orbit, the display will allow visitors to explore new Inmarsat satellites, including the companys latest Ka-band satellite GX5 that is due to be launched before the end of this year, as well as the Inmarsat 6 fleet, GX7, 8 and 9 plus the GX10A and 10B Arctic broadband satellites that will be launched in the years to come. This additional growth over the next few years demonstrates clearly Inmarsats commitment to investing in its future, in innovation and in creating depth in truly global, seamless coverage.*

During the conference Nick Shave, Inmarsat Vice President Strategy and Programmes and recently-appointed Vice Chair of UKspace, the trade association for the UKs space industry, will chair Pitch to the Primes where small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) will showcase innovation to industry leaders. The session will take place on Wednesday 25 September 2019 in the afternoon slot, offering a significant opportunity for early stage SMEs and start-ups to showcase their innovations to a panel of influential space industry leaders.

The conference committee has selected candidate companies from the upstream and downstream to identify potential new supply chain opportunities. Alongside Nick as panel chairman will be senior representatives from across the space industry, including Airbus Defence and Space, BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin and Thales Alenia Space UK.

Nick Shave said: I am delighted and honoured to have been appointed to the UKspace Vice Chair role. I look forward to working closely with colleagues across all companies in the sector and to continue the important work of the association in supporting the rapid expansion of the industry. Innovation is at the heart of our work at Inmarsat and hosting the opportunity for new companies coming into the space sector to present to major industry primes at the conference will be a real pleasure.

UKspace is the UK space trade association which represents the space industry to government and other key stakeholders nationally and internationally. As the leading voice of the UK space industry for over 30 years, UKspace works alongside the UK Space Agency, the Ministry of Defence, Innovate UK and various other government bodies to deliver world class satellite systems and to achieve the best framework to achieve growth.

Nick is a member of the leadership team in Inmarsats Global Government business and is responsible for developing the government business strategy and the delivery of strategic government programmes, outside the USA. The Global Government business unit at Inmarsat supports more than 80 government customers around the world with market-leading satellite services.

He has performed a range of engineering, business development and management roles in the Space Sector for 25 years leading organisations in the sector. He is currently Co-Chair of the National Cyber Security Centre Space Information Exchange (SPIE) and is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

* For more information about Inmarsats satellites visit https://www.inmarsat.com/about-us/our-technology/our-satellites/.

Details about UKSpace are at www.ukspace.org and about the UK Space conference are at www.ukspace.org/event/uk-space-conference-2019/.

About Inmarsat

Inmarsat is the world leader in global, mobile satellite communications. It owns and operates the worlds most diverse global portfolio of mobile telecommunications satellite networks, and holds a multi-layered, global spectrum portfolio, covering L-band, Ka-band and S-band, enabling unparalleled breadth and diversity in the solutions it provides. Inmarsats long-established global distribution network includes not only the worlds leading channel partners but also its own strong direct retail capabilities, enabling end to end customer service assurance.

The company has an unrivalled track record of operating the worlds most reliable global mobile satellite telecommunications networks, sustaining business and mission critical safety & operational applications for 40 years. It is also a major driving force behind technological innovation in mobile satellite communications, sustaining its leadership through a substantial investment and a powerful network of technology and manufacturing partners.

Inmarsat operates across a diversified portfolio of sectors with the financial resources to fund its business strategy and holds leading positions in the Maritime, Government, Aviation and Enterprise satcoms markets, operating consistently as a trusted, responsive and high-quality partner to its customers across the globe.

For further information follow us on LinkedIn @Inmarsat or on Twitter @InmarsatGlobal.