British space strategy: Defining the national space interest

The Council on Geostrategy is delighted to be hosting a panel entitled ‘British space strategy: Defining the national space interest’ at the Global MilStratCom 2025 conference.

Gabriel Elefteriu, our Senior Research Fellow (Space Power), will open the session with a presentation of his paper, ‘UK space strategy and the national space interest: a methodological approach’. He will set out the paper’s framework for understanding how Britain should define and prioritise its national space interests.

Nik Smith, Regional Director UK and Europe, Lockheed Martin UK Space, will respond by posing strategic questions and probing the practical and policy implications of Gabriel’s methodological approach. Their exchange will explore the intersections between academic analysis, government policy and industry priorities.

The session will conclude with a brief Q and A from the audience, offering an opportunity for attendees to raise points or seek clarification. The discussion aims to clarify what a national space interest looks like for Britain and how it should guide strategy and decisions.

This ticketed event forms part of the Strategic Advantage Cell. Find out more about the Global MilStratComm 2025 conference, including tickets, here.

Panellists

Gabriel Elefteriu

Senior Research Fellow (Space Power), Council on Geostrategy,

Gabriel Elefteriu FRAeS is a Senior Research Fellow at the Council on Geostrategy, where his research focuses on defence space policy and strategy, and the global space power balance. Having also served as Deputy Director at the Council on Geostrategy, he was previously Director of Research and Strategy and member of the Senior Management Team at Policy Exchange, which he first joined in 2014 and where he also founded and directed the first dedicated Space Policy Research Unit in the United Kingdom. Gabriel is also an Associate of King’s College, London, an elected Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, and a founding partner at AstroAnalytica, a space consultancy. He holds a BA in War Studies (first class) and an MA in Intelligence and International Security (Distinction), both from King’s College, London.

Nik Smith

Regional Director UK and Europe, Lockheed Martin UK Space

Nik Smith is the Regional Director for Lockheed Martin Space UK, responsible for the company’s activities across the UK and Europe and for shaping strategy and driving business growth in the region. He leads engagement with customers and partners to deliver space solutions and expand the company’s presence across defence and civil markets. Nik joined Lockheed Martin Space in 2015 after a 16-year career in the Royal Air Force, where he held a variety of roles in space operations, information technology, information policy, acquisition, cyber and C4ISR capability development. His final military appointment was with the British Defence Staff at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C., where he supported the US–UK military relationship on C4ISR, cyber and space matters.

For more information, please contact [email protected].