Space Agency needed as ’one stop shop’ to boost UK space science


The Royal Society press release is reproduced below:


23 Apr 2007

A UK Space Agency' should be established to replace the existing British National Space Centre which lacks the necessary authority, coordination and funding to represent UK space science on international level the Royal Society has said today (Monday 23 April 2007).

In response to a consultation on the future of the UK's space policy, the Society proposes that a National Space Agency is needed to assume the role of chief funding co-ordinator and policy maker to focus the efforts of the UK space science community.

Martin Rees, President of the Royal Society, said: "A UK Space Agency would have the authority to implement a national space strategy and raise the profile of scientists and industries working in the space sector. It would essentially provide a one stop shop' for UK space science activities."

In addition to providing a hub for activities within the UK, a national space agency would play an important role internationally, to promote the UK's expertise and 'broker' deals with other national bodies and initiatives, a current example being the European Space Agency's (ESA) programme on robotic space missions.

The UK only plays a minor role within the ESA's space initiatives and last year contributed just seven per cent of ESA's total budget compared with 25 per cent from France and 20 per cent from Germany. An effective UK Space Agency would need a significantly increased budget.

Martin Rees continued: "A national space agency would promote the UK's strengths and foster international collaboration. The UK is recognised as a world leader in the development of low-cost satellite technology. However no European country can afford to go it alone. Collaboration is a cost effective means for the UK which currently constitutes a small but specialist component of the global space community to be involved in high-profile projects.

"The global space Industry is worth 115 billion dollars a year. The UK, both independently and through the European Space Agency, should be competing for contracts with the likes of NASA and the emerging space powers such as Brazil, China, India and Russia. The UK has a great deal of expertise but it is losing out as other national space agencies work harder for their industries and scientists."

To achieve a more prominent role in international space research, a UK Space Agency would also need significant backing from the highest levels of Government. US space policy, by comparison, is set at the highest levels of the US Government by the Office of the President.

Currently, eight Government departments, including Defra, the DTI and the MoD have an interest in space science. However no department holds overall responsibility for UK space policy. The British National Space Centre (BNSC) coordinates a number of initiatives on behalf of the Government, but does not have the power to implement national space policy nor a formal budget.

"The BNSC has limited resources in relation to the scale of its task. The UK needs to raise its game in order to maintain and enhance its international profile. The Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council, the largest single funder of the current space centre, has now been merged into the new Science and Technology Facilities Council. This offers a welcome opportunity for a fresh look at how we organise the UK's space policy. An organisation is needed that will equal other national space agencies in authority and prestige."

The BNSC will use the consultation responses as it drafts a new UK space strategy. This strategy will then be approved by the Minister for Science and Innovation, Malcolm Wicks. It is due for publication in October.

Source: Royal Society Press Release