UK announces new space agency to spur economic growth

A new executive agency will replace the British National Space Centre to bring the UK’s space and satellite sector into a new era, Science and Innovation Minister Lord Drayson has announced.

The agency is aimed at enhancing efficiencies by bringing together for the first time the six government departments, two research councils, the Technology Strategy Board and the Met Office that currently oversee the organisation of UK space activities.

Lord Drayson laid out plans to accelerate growth and jobs within the UK’s space industry during a speech at the Appleton Space Conference.

The UK space and satellite sector has grown in real terms by around 9 per cent a year since 1999-2000 — more than three times faster than the economy as a whole. It currently contributes £6.5 billion a year to the UK economy and supports 68,000 jobs.

“Our space sector hasn’t missed a beat during this recession,” Lord Drayson said. “The new space agency is about making sure that the UK fully exploits its competitive advantage in satellites, robotics and related technologies.”

The announcement follows a public consultation on how to fund and organise the civil space sector so it can meet the challenges of the future and delivers the greatest benefit to the country.

As well as maximising the role of space technologies to drive economic growth in high-tech, high-skilled services, the new agency’s responsibilities will include:

• Strengthening the UK’s relationship with the European Space Agency;
• Agreeing with UK industry how to maximise the benefits of space technologies; and
• Working with the scientific community to provide a clear voice on decisions that affect the sector.

“Establishing a UK space agency reinforces the government’s commitment to be at the cutting edge of innovation and science,” said Ian Pearson MP, Economic Secretary at the Treasury. “Satellite telecommunications and applications affect all our daily lives.  They provide high tech R&D and job opportunities which play an important role in the growth of the UK economy.”