2 December – UKspace welcomes the UK Space Agency’s announcement today, at the Council of Ministers in Lucerne, Switzerland, that more than €1.4 billion will be allocated over the next five years to European Space Agency Programmes (ESA).

€670.5 million investment in satellite technology for UK industry and science, including telecommunications, Earth observation, navigation and satellite services supporting every sector of the economy, including €23 million to build on UK leadership of ESA’s climate change monitoring programme, based at the ECSAT facility in Harwell, Oxford.

€82.4 million for the next phase of the ExoMars programme, to put a British-built rover on the surface of Mars.

€71 million for ESA’s International Space Station programme to 2021 and for the future of deep space exploration, building on the legacy of Tim Peake’s Principia mission

This collaboration and commitment to European science and exploration, satellite technology and services shows that the government recognises the significance and unfolding potential value of the space sector in the UK and its important links with ESA.

Andy Green, President of UKspace and co-Chair of the Space Leadership Council said: “I warmly welcome this substantial investment by the Government in the future of the UK space industry. It is a fantastic vote of confidence and will ensure that the UK can remain at the forefront of the growth of the global space economy. It will enhance UK industrial strengths and leadership in critical capabilities that are vital for the economy.

“This investment will feed directly into UK industries in all key areas of the space sector and will help to position the industry to benefit fully from the Government’s planned Industrial Strategy.  This announcement is a fitting salute to the national mood captivated by the success of the Tim Peake mission, which has enthused so many of our young people to realise the potential role they can play in science and technology.”