24 November 2016 – The Science and Technology Committee has received a response from the Government to the ‘Satellites and space’ Report produced by the Committee on 15 June 2016.

The response has been published as a Special Report on Thursday 24 November (HC 830): Satellites and space: Government Response to the Committee’s Third Report of Session 2016–17

Stephen Metcalfe MP, chair of the Committee, said: “It is encouraging to see that many of the recommendations made in our Satellites and Space report are already being taken forward by the Government, including expanding Innovate UK’s in-orbit demonstration programme. We were particularly pleased that the Government has committed to ensuring that vertical, as well as horizontal, launch options are being considered as part of the Government’s plans to establish a UK Spaceport. We were disappointed, however, that five months have elapsed between the publication of our report and the Government formally responding to our recommendations. We trust that such delays will not be repeated in the future.”