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