As we start a new year, UKspace looks into its crystal ball to predict some of the events that will impact policy in 2025.
International
On the global stage, mega constellations will continue to increase in reach and number, with privateers taking on traditional providers, and concern growing around resulting space debris
Additionally, the new space race will likely drive significant innovation, though regulation relating to launch and planetary exploration will be critical to ensure a safe and equitable environment in space. The UK must do what it can to recognise and address this in 2025 at pace through the Regulatory Reform activities.
The political fragmentation being witnessed in Europe is likely to compound the technical and corporate fragmentation that already exists. As the US becomes more agile and more coherent in its determination to outpace the rest of the world in the space race, Europe will face new challenges.
Market
In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) will become a reality with rapid and widespread investment. Commercialising key enablers such as RPO, debris removal and refuelling will fire the starting gun on a universal race to secure leadership. The UK is in a position of strength currently, but the speed of commercialisation will dictate who wins the race.
Similarly, artificial intelligence (AI) will grow in its influence this year – both as a disruptor and enabler. How the UK responds must be decided in 2025.
As a major investor in space science, the growing interest in space exploration could be a golden period for the UK’s scientists, inventors and academia over the coming years. We must therefore act now to maintain and strengthen our academic and innovation institutions to benefit from these opportunities.
UK Industrial
2025 must be the year of making the case for space. As the Government decides on national champions, we foresee companies with a solid UK pedigree and an ability to provide UK sovereign capabilities faring well. The UK MOD will be a key decision maker in civil and military space.
In parallel, the Government will want to position the UK at the heart of the new space race, so will pick a couple of ‘moonshots’ by way of illustration. Candidates for attention are likely to include space solar, space-based data centres and space-based nuclear.
The imminent introduction of the Procurement Act and the updated Employment Rights Act will form the bedrock of government decision making, by law. As the dedicated trade association for the space sector, we will help our members to understand any new responsibilities and how they can achieve them, in order to be successful in the UK public sector during 2025 and beyond.
To find out more about these policy predictions, please email our Head of Policy, Stephanie Ayres.