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UK vision to stay at forefront of space sector published

BRITISH NATIONAL SPACE CENTRE News Release (No: 01/08) issued by The Government News Network on 14 February 2008

New proposals for the UK's future involvement in an increasingly competitive international space sector were today published in the UK Civil Space Strategy: 2008 - 2012 and beyond.

With the space sector currently contributing approximately £7 billion to the UK economy, Science and Innovation Minister Ian Pearson announced how the UK would continue to be at the forefront of this expanding sector. This will include:

* Continued UK involvement in Earth observation, space science and telecoms developments;

* Establishing an international space facility at Harwell, Oxfordshire, which will focus on climate change, robotic space exploration and applications;

* Closer involvement in international initiatives on the future shape of space exploration to the Moon, Mars and beyond; and,

* Setting up a National Space Technology Programme to support the development of new, innovative technologies and services.

Ian Pearson said: "Space technology is a vital part of our everyday life, and satellite communications and space technology provide strong business opportunities for the future.

"Applications from space underpin today's major business sectors. They provide essential information to understand the Earth's environment, changing climate and weather and they enable great strides to be made in the scientific understanding of our Solar System and beyond; and, provide innovative tools for enhancing our quality of life.

"The UK is at the leading edge of these activities. The new UK Civil Space Strategy sets out a path to increase the UK share of this growing international sector."

The British National Space Centre, which co-ordinates the UK's civil space activities, will now provide the leadership to take forward the strategy.

Ian Pearson added: "These coming decades promise to be even more exciting than the last. The Government is determined that the UK remains at the forefront of the evolving space scene.

"I look forward to working with all sides of the space community in delivering our exciting vision."

Notes to Editors

1. A copy of the UK Civil Space Strategy: 2008 - 2012 and beyond is available on the BNSC website http://www.bnsc.gov.uk

2. In 1986, the UK chose not to participate in human space missions. The publication of the Global Exploration Strategy provides a suitable point in time to review this decision. The British National Space Centre will undertake a study of programme options drawing on the findings of the 2007 UK Space Exploration Working Group, taking into account the scientific, technological and economic costs and benefits, and UK's existing strengths in robotic exploration.

3. A full public consultation in early 2007, followed by a stakeholder event in the summer, helped shape the strategy published today.

4. Industry, academia, special interest groups and individuals took part in the consultation which received 130 inputs. The strategy also reflects interests in space policy right across Government and its commitments in response to the former House of Commons Science and Technology Committee's report on space policy, published in July 2007.

5. The British National Space Centre (BNSC) is a partnership of ten Government Departments, Research Councils and the Met Office and is at the heart of UK efforts to explore and exploit space. BNSC co-ordinates UK civil space activities to benefit science, enterprise and the environment and represents the UK at the European Space Agency and at other international fora.

6. For further information about BNSC, visit http://www.bnsc.gov.uk

ISSUED BY BNSC COMMUNICATIONS UNIT