Space Policy
Space Policy in the UK
In February 2008, the UK Government published its third UK Civil Space Strategy. This set out the UK's high-level vision and objectives for its involvement in space. Industry strongly welcomed the strategy for its vision and focus on wealth creation, and will work closely with Government on its implementation. An Industry in particular welcomed the strategy's challenging target to grow the UK's share of the fast-growing global space market.
The strategy sets five high-level visions at the heart of Britain's future in space:
- win an increasing share of the global market in space systems, services and applications in the race to develop tomorrow's economy;
- deliver world-leading exploitation of space systems for managing our
changing planet; - be a partner of choice in global scientific missions to explore the Universe;
- benefit our society by strengthening innovation from space, and stimulate the creation of new products and services for everyday use;
- develop a major channel for skills development and outreach for a high technology future, and improve public and political recognition of the value of space systems as part of the critical national infrastructure
In July 2007, the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee published the most wide ranging parliamentary report into space policy for a decade. The report, '2007: A Space Policy', acknowledged the growing economic importance of space, and encouraged the UK Government to work with industry, academia and other stakeholders to build on UK leadership in many fields of space technology and applications. It is available to download at: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmselect/cmsctech/66/6602.htm
UKspace’s written submission can be downloaded at:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmselect/cmsctech/66/66we115.htm
UKspace submitted two supplementary submissions on the reasons for continued Government investment, which can be viewed at:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmselect/cmsctech/66/66we115.htm
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmselect/cmsctech/66/66we114.htm
Oral evidence by four member companies, EADS Astrium, LogicaCMG, SSTL and Avanti, can be viewed at:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmselect/cmsctech/uc66-i/uc6602.htm
Written evidence by member companies and other stakeholders can be viewed at:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmselect/cmsctech/66/66we01.htm
European Space Policy
A formal European Space Policy was established on 22 May 2007 when a joint and concomitant meeting at ministerial level of the Council of the European Union and the Council of the European Space Agency adopted a Resolution on the European Space Policy.