DEPARTMENT FOR
INNOVATION, UNIVERSITIES AND SKILLS News Release (ESA Ministerial
261108) issued by COI News Distribution Service. 26 November 2008
A European Space
Agency (ESA) research centre will be established in the UK
following an agreement made by Science and Innovation Minister,
Lord Drayson today.
Lord Drayson and ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain signed
an agreement in principle to secure an ESA research centre in the
UK at the ESA Ministerial taking place this week at The Hague. The
research centre, which will be based at the Harwell science and
innovation campus in Oxfordshire, could be up and running within a year.
Once established, ESA money will be directed to fund new work on
climate change modelling that uses space data and the development
of technologies for a new era of planetary exploration, including
robotics and novel power sources.
Announcing the agreement, Lord Drayson said:
"I'm delighted to have struck this deal today. Laying
the foundations for a possible centre was one of my aspirations at
this meeting, but to come away with a signed agreement on a
facility is great news for the UK and ESA.
"This centre represents a first for the UK. It will direct
more ESA business and funding to our shores, which of course is
very important for our economy - but also the establishment of a
new ESA centre is extremely encouraging for British scientists
working in space science as they will have closer involvement in
international space programmes."
During the two-day ministerial meeting, which concludes today,
Lord Drayson also committed to invest £82 million in the
ESA's flagship Global Monitoring for Environment and Security
(GMES) programmes in a package of UK subscriptions totalling over
£300 million.
Announcing the GMES commitment Lord Drayson said:
"The greatest challenge facing our generation is climate
change. Despite the global economic downturn, it is vital that we
increase the pace of research in this area.
"The GMES programme offers a crucial tool to aid our
understanding and monitoring of climate change variables.
"I am pleased to have announced the UK's commitment to
the second segment of the programme at the Ministerial today.
Participation in GMES, alongside the other significant projects
that the UK has committed to support at this meeting, will ensure
the UK remains a key player in using space science to monitor
climate change."
Other programmes backed by the UK include those that will search
for life on Mars and develop telecommunications technology - which
will strengthen the UK's role in the global space industry.
Lord Drayson added:
"It is the Government's priority, particularly in the
current economic climate, to ensure the most out of every pound we
invest in ESA. This is why we have selected the areas and
programmes where the UK can compete and grow most effectively.
"Historically, the UK has made smart investments in robotics
and microsatellites and this has enabled us to develop world-class
leads in these areas.
"The UK is the fourth highest contributor to the European
Space Agency's programmes, and I'm determined that we
remain a significant player in European space."
The UK made contributions to seven optional ESA programmes, including:
* Advanced Research in Telecommunication Systems (ARTES). This
programme will make the most of the UK's reputation and
expertise in satellite communications technology, where the UK has
a vibrant and growing business.
* Aurora Enhanced Exo Mars Mission Component and Exploration
Programme. ExoMars will search for evidence of life on Mars. It is
expected to launch Jan 2016 and will consist of a rover vehicle
and stationary lander. The UK is the second largest contributor to
the programme in terms of funding and the UK company Astrium has
the contract to construct the Mars Rover.
* Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) segment
two. GMES will provide essential observations to monitor climate
change. The programme includes a key satellite mission to measure
the chemicals in the atmosphere. It is expected that the high-tech
UK space industry will play a leading role in developing the
satellites for this programme.
The UK also agreed investments in the ESA's mandatory
programmes over the next three years; The Science Programme,
funded by Science and Technology Facilities Council, STFC, pays
for the design, build and launch of a series of science missions
in astronomy, solar physics and planetary science. The UK's
investment will be E234.5 million.
The General Budget, funded by STFC and the Natural Environment
Research Council, pays for the basic infrastructure and overheads
of the ESA programme. The UK's investment will be E110 million.
The ESA Ministerial is a meeting of 18 Ministers from across the
Agency's Member States. Held every three years, the
meeting's objective is to agree levels of investment to all
ESA programmes.
Notes to editors
1. The confirmed UK subscriptions to the ESA Optional Programme are:
* GMES Programmes: Total E102.5 million. Comprising of;
o European Earth Watch Programme - global monitoring of essential
climate change variables - E15 million
o Global Monitoring for Environment and Security segment two -
E87.5 million
* European Space Exploration Programme - Aurora - Enhanced Exo
Mars Mission Component - an increased subscription to E165 million
* European Space Exploration Programme - Aurora - Mars Robotic
Exploration Preparation Programme Component - E6.5 million
* Advanced Research in Telecommunication Systems (ARTES) total
subscription to seven elements of this programme - E121million
* Space Situational Awareness - E1 million
* General Support Technologies Programme - total subscription of
E3million across the four programme elements
2. The British National Space Centre (BNSC) coordinates civil
space policy across UK Government. A voluntary partnership of 11
Government departments and research councils, BNSC represents the
UK at the European Space Agency. http://www.bnsc.gov.uk
3. The European Space Agency (ESA) represents 18 Member States.
The Agency's projects are designed to find out more about the
Earth, the Solar System and the Universe, as well as to develop
satellite-based technology and services, and to promote the
competitiveness of European industry.
4. For more information, contact the DIUS press office on 0203
300 8105.
ENDS