WGPlus (Archive)
The government is reaching for Space, if not yet the Stars |
Space Minister Chris Skidmore last week spoke at the UK Space Conference 2019. Some extracts from his speech: It is here on earth that space has the opportunity to make the greatest impact, whether that is in better health screening and diagnosis, improving our telecommunications, delivering smart cities and autonomous vehicle networks, or helping to safeguard our environment as Andy has so eloquently spoken about…… …. commitment for net zero carbon emissions by 2050 into law ….. to understand the nature of the challenge, and how we will meet it, we need satellite technology and improved earth observation to deliver the measurements needed, just as it has been satellite technology that has exposed the true scale of global warming…… That’s why I’m delighted the PM has announced £20m for new space weather forecasting & technology. The effects of adverse space weather, such as solar winds, can disrupt key satellites, damage spacecraft electronics and cause problems across GPS and mobile phone networks. It’s a problem that many of you in this room will know only too well, but there are still worrying gaps in our knowledge of how to properly forecast these events…… And when it comes to the UK’s strengths in satellites, only last week, I was visiting the National Physical Laboratory, discussing the potential of the TRUTHS mission. This new mission will allow us to recalibrate earth observation data from satellites all around the world, painting a picture of our changing climate that is more accurate than ever before….. And we will also seek to extend our international partnerships with other space agencies. I’m delighted to see in the programme that I’ll be meeting representatives from over 10 space agencies, and I’d like to thank them all for making the trip to Newport. ….. And this morning the UK is celebrating another agreement, with Australia, to develop a ‘space bridge’ between our two nations. It’s a sign that as the United Kingdom we are taking a truly global approach to space…… A key part of this is to build on the unique position that the UK can play in the future of space launch. …..And today, we have announced an additional £1.3 million to be invested into planning for three potential spaceports around the UK. …………………. This is why I’ve called for a National Space Council, to be led at cabinet level, informing the delivery of a new National Space Framework for government. And I was delighted that this call has now been agreed to. Work is now beginning on both the Council and Framework, and I look forward to playing a key role in this…… |
Researched Links: |
BEIS: UK Space Conference 2019 WAG: Lift off for Wales’ first UK Space Conference ScotGov: Investment in space technology MoD: £1.5m boost for space innovation UK Space Agency: £20m to accelerate British research into forecasting space weather UK Space Agency joins Women in Aerospace Europe organisation MoD: Aerospace investment to take-off following US Trade Mission DIT: Investment Minister reinforces support for trade in space sector Tim Peake welcomes new UK Space Agency scheme to reach 1m children a year Small is the (profitable) future |