What we do

UKspace is the trade association of the UK space industry. Founded in 1975, its role and mission is to:

Grow the UK’s share of the global space market, by promoting the best commercial, political and public environment for the UK space industry
Promote greater awareness in Government, the media, the public and other key stakeholders of the wide-ranging benefits from one of the UK’s most innovative, high skilled, and value-adding sectors
Provide the focal point for any organisation commercially involved in space systems and related services in the UK
Provide the primary forum for industry dialogue with the UK Government and with other national and international stakeholders

UKspace is sponsored jointly by A|D|S (the trade body for the aerospace, defence and security industries) and Intellect (the trade body of the information technology, telecommunications and electronics industry).

How UKspace Operates

UKspace has several levels of operation:

President of UKspace – leading industrialist from a member company is chosen to represent the industry and the association at the most senior levels in government.
UKspace Council – as the central policy institution of UKspace, the UKspace Council directs the association’s operations. It endorses the scope and objectives of all cross-cutting activities undertaken on behalf of UKspace, as well as the work of sub-committees and groups. Membership comprises representatives from all UKspace member companies. The UKspace Council meets bi-monthly in London and its tasks include:

Producing policy and position papers on key issues
Setting the scope and objectives for actions to be undertaken in the interests of UKspace members
Monitoring the work of its committees
Interacting with relevant advisory bodies and staff in the UK Space Agency, other areas of government, the European Space Agency (ESA), the European Commission and Eurospace (the European space trade association).

Sector Committees – drive the engine room activities of UKspace. These groupings – drawn from member company representatives – are established to meet either sector or pan-industry challenges. Their work programmes are approved and coordinated by the UKspace Council and include monitoring and interacting with appropriate UK Space Agency, Technology Strategy Board and other HMG bodies. There are currently seven committees:

Earth Observation Applications & Missions (EOC)
Research & Technology (RTC)
Satellite Navigation (SNC) – affiliated with the Intellect Position and Timing Committee(PATC)
Satellite Telecommunications (STC) – run jointly with Intellect Satellite Committee
Security & Defence (SDC)
Space Science and Exploration(SSEC)
Government Affairs (GAC)

Ad-hoc working groups – These are formed from time to time to address specific issues.

Membership

UKspace company members are drawn from both the upstream and downstream sectors of the space industry, reflecting the interests of our sponsor organisations. Members’ capabilities encompass the design, development, manufacture, control and operation of satellites for communications, navigation, earth observation and scientific applications, together with their payloads and ground support systems. Their leading edge technology and research, and development activities, are amongst the most advanced and diverse of any industry. Company details can be found on the Members pages.

Relationships

Through its Officers and Member Companies, UKspace has a wide range of relationships across government and industry, amongst which the following are key:

The Space Leadership Council: this cross government body is jointly chaired by the Minister for Universities and Science and the President of UKspace. The Chairman of UKspace represents the industry on the Council.
UK Space Agency:

Chairman of UKspace and the Officers of the Association attend regular bi-laterals with the CE and Directors of the Agency
UKspace committee chairs and Members are strongly represented on UK Space Agency Advisory Boards

UK Government: UKspace attends a variety of cross-government committees to represent space industry issues
The Parliamentary Space Committee (PSC): this is one of Parliament’s oldest and most respected all-party groups, with around 100 members from all sides of the House and from both Houses. UKspace is the leading industry association supporting the work of the PSC.
European Space Agency: UKspace has a close dialogue with the Director General of ESA and the Agency Directors on UK industrial issues
ADS and Intellect: The Chairman of UKspace is the Vice-President Space for ADS and attends ADS Council; he attends Intellect Board meetings, as requested by the Director General of Intellect.