ISAM Ignition: How the Belfast Conference Accelerated the UK’s Space Innovation Agenda
In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) is no longer a speculative vision of the future. It is rapidly becoming a defining capability for the next phase of space activity. From assembling large structures in orbit to repairing satellites, removing debris, and manufacturing advanced materials in microgravity, ISAM represents a fundamental shift in how space infrastructure is designed, deployed, and sustained.
That shift was on full display at this year’s ISAM Conference in Belfast, which brought together government representatives, established aerospace firms, fast-growing start-ups, and academic leaders. More than a technical showcase, the event functioned as a strategic alignment point, reinforcing the UK’s intent to position itself as a global leader in this emerging sector.
What stood out was not just the technology on show, but the clarity of direction. Across panels, presentations, and informal discussions, a consistent message emerged: ISAM is moving from experimental capability to national priority.
From concept to capability: why ISAM matters now
Historically, spacecraft were designed as disposable assets. Once launched, their configuration was fixed, their lifespan limited, and failure often meant total loss. ISAM challenges that model entirely.
By enabling spacecraft to be assembled, upgraded, refuelled, or repaired in orbit, ISAM technologies dramatically extend asset lifetimes and reduce the need for replacement launches. In parallel, in-space manufacturing opens the door to producing high-value materials that are difficult or impossible to create under Earth’s gravity.
These capabilities are not theoretical. They are already being demonstrated through robotic servicing missions, debris capture technologies, and early manufacturing experiments. As with any complex engineering system, moving from demonstration to routine operation requires disciplined testing, validation, and operational planning, principles embedded in risk assessment fundamentals.
Belfast as a focal point for momentum
Hosting the conference in Belfast was symbolic. Northern Ireland’s growing aerospace and advanced manufacturing base provided a fitting backdrop for discussions about precision engineering, robotics, and systems integration.
The conference brought together stakeholders across the full ISAM value chain. Start-ups, primes, regulators, defence specialists, and researchers shared progress, challenges, and priorities. The emphasis was not on abstract ambition, but on flight-ready capability.
One recurring theme was that ISAM success depends on reliability. In orbit, there is no margin for error. Every robotic capture, docking manoeuvre, and assembly operation must perform exactly as intended. That requirement echoes the safety-critical mindset found in terrestrial engineering disciplines, where structured approaches to health and safety training for engineers underpin operational confidence.
Commercial momentum and UK leadership
Several UK-based companies illustrated how quickly ISAM is moving towards commercial reality.
Space Forge drew particular attention. The Cardiff-based company is pioneering semiconductor manufacturing in orbit, leveraging microgravity to produce materials with properties unattainable on Earth. Its recent £30 million Series A investment, the largest ever for UK space technology, signals growing investor confidence in in-space manufacturing as a viable commercial sector.
Meanwhile, ClearSpace and Astroscale showcased progress in orbital servicing and debris removal. Their technologies address one of the most pressing challenges in space: sustainability. As orbital congestion increases, the ability to service assets and remove defunct satellites becomes essential for long-term access to space.
These developments highlight an important shift. ISAM is no longer a niche research area. It is attracting serious capital, strategic partnerships, and long-term planning. That transition mirrors patterns seen in other engineering sectors, where credibility and adoption follow demonstrable performance, often reinforced through transparent evaluation mechanisms such as a training provider reviews page.
Strategy and sovereignty: government alignment
A defining feature of the Belfast conference was the strong alignment between industry ambition and government strategy.
The UK government has formally identified ISAM as a sovereign capability, particularly relevant to defence and national resilience. This designation was reinforced in the Strategic Defence Review 2025, which positioned ISAM as critical to maintaining operational advantage and freedom of action in space.
The ambition is significant. The UK aims to capture 25% of the projected £11 billion global ISAM market by 2031. Achieving that target requires more than innovation. It demands coordinated policy, sustained investment, and a regulatory environment that supports rapid development while managing risk.
The UK Space Agency (UKSA) outlined its long-term vision to deliver value-driven ISAM capability by 2035. A five-year roadmap is already in development, focused on accelerating flight-ready technologies, enabling commercial services, and establishing adaptive regulatory frameworks. Orbital demonstrations were repeatedly highlighted as the critical bridge between laboratory success and operational maturity.
Clear communication between regulators, industry, and researchers is essential in this phase. The ability to align expectations, constraints, and timelines reflects the same principles found in effective communication in construction and engineering, where system-wide coordination determines success.
Unexpected allies: ISAM’s cross-sector pull
One of the most striking aspects of the conference was the presence of sectors not traditionally associated with space.
Representatives from nuclear fusion, offshore energy, pharmaceuticals, and big technology firms participated actively, exploring how their expertise could transfer into ISAM applications. This cross-pollination reflects a broader trend: many of the hardest problems in space engineering are already being tackled in other high-risk, high-precision industries.
Robotics originally developed for offshore inspection or nuclear environments is being adapted for orbital servicing. Advanced materials research from pharma and semiconductor sectors is informing in-space manufacturing approaches. Big tech’s experience with data, automation, and systems scaling is shaping mission design and operations.
As boundaries blur, ISAM innovation is increasingly emerging at the intersections between disciplines. This reinforces the value of engineering careers built around adaptability and systems thinking, themes often highlighted in discussions around why engineering and trade careers remain a strong long-term choice.
Collaboration as the real engine of progress
While technology was central, the conference repeatedly returned to one conclusion: collaboration is the true accelerator of ISAM progress.
No single organisation can deliver ISAM capability alone. Success depends on partnerships across government, industry, academia, and international allies. It also depends on in-person engagement, where ideas can be challenged, refined, and accelerated through direct dialogue.
The Belfast event demonstrated the value of bringing people together. Conversations extended beyond formal sessions into networking spaces, where shared challenges were explored candidly. These interactions often spark the collaborations that drive the next wave of innovation.
Leaving Belfast: momentum, not just inspiration
The ISAM Conference in Belfast was energising, but it was also grounding. It replaced abstract ambition with concrete plans, real investment, and operational timelines.
What emerged was a clear picture of a sector entering its execution phase. The UK is not simply observing ISAM’s development. It is actively shaping it, through strategic alignment, commercial backing, and cross-sector collaboration.
As ISAM technologies mature, their impact will extend far beyond space. They will influence how infrastructure is designed, how resources are used, and how engineering challenges are approached in extreme environments.
The journey from Belfast now continues into orbit.
