UK Space Agency

[Rick]

UK 'needs clear space strategy'

The UK government needs to develop a more coherent strategy on space, or risk falling behind other countries, a House of Commons committee has warned.

But MPs did not support calls for the creation of a UK Space Agency.

Many scientists say a space agency would give Britain more influence in determining international space policy.

The committee also said there should be no policy block on the UK fielding astronauts, or on developing its own rockets for launching satellites.

More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6901835.stm

[Rick]

MPs have called on the government to give the lead to the UK's space industry and expand its vision to include funding launches and even manned spaceflight.

The Science and Technology Select Committee, in a report amusingly entitled Space 2007: A Space Policy, says: "We have been impressed and often surprised during the course of this inquiry by the range of activities undertaken in the space sector in the UK."

More: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/07/17/space_funding/

[Rick]

The head of the Royal Air Force (RAF) has said the UK should have a manned space programme, and that his organisation should provide astronauts.

Flight International reports that Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy expressed his views at a big dinner in London this week. The good marshal apparently felt that the lure of spaceflight might attract young people to a career in moustachioed aerial explosives delivery.

More: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/10/19/raf_chief_wants_moustaches_in_space/
And: http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/10/16/218662/royal-air-force-chief-backs-call-for-uk-astronauts.html

[Mike]

The head of the Royal Air Force (RAF) has said the UK should have a manned space programme, and that his organisation should provide astronauts.

Hear hear !!!   

[Rick]

An expert panel has been asked to lay out the challenges and opportunities facing the British space industry.

The group will deliver its assessment in six months and make recommendations on how it thinks government can help maintain the sector's competitiveness.

The industry turns over £6bn annually and supports some 70,000 jobs.

More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8119991.stm

[Rick]

There is to be a 12-week consultation on whether the UK should have its own dedicated space agency.

The Science Minister Lord Drayson is supportive of the idea but wants to hear the views of academics and industrialists.

Currently, British space policy is devised by a "partnership" of government departments and research councils operating devolved budgets.

More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8158747.stm

[Rick]

The value of the space sector to the UK economy is set to double over the next decade, claims a new report.

It currently contributes about £6.5bn and employs nearly 70,000 people, many in high-skilled engineering jobs.

The new report, produced by Oxford Economics, says the industry is expected to grow by 5% year on year and could be worth £14.2bn by 2020.

More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8164776.stm

[Rick]

Britain is to set up a dedicated agency to direct its space policy.

The new organisation is expected to have a budget and will represent the UK in all its dealings with international partners.

The announcement, made by the Science Minister Lord Drayson, follows a 12-week consultation held with academia, industry and government departments.

More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8404213.stm

[The Thing]

Another quango to eat up our taxes...

[mickw]

Another quango to eat up our taxes...

Yes but they'll be new taxes 

[Rick]

The UK space industry can become a much bigger global player, employing thousands more highly skilled workers and being worth over £40bn a year.

The projection is made in a report prepared jointly by industry, government, and academia.

The Space Innovation and Growth Strategy identifies key market opportunities - from internet provision via satellite to space tourism.

The report says greater investment will position the UK for future success.

More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8506141.stm

[mickw]

The United Kingdom (U.K.) launched a new national space agency Tuesday along with plans for a multimillion-dollar space innovation center in England.

The U.K. Space Agency is slated to open its doors by April 1. This hub for all British space activities will be based at a new £40 million (nearly $60 million U.S.) International Space Innovation Centre announced today along with the new space agency, British space officials said during the announcement.

"The action we're taking today shows that we're really serious about space," said Lord Paul Drayson, U.K. Minister for Science and Innovation, in a statement. "The U.K. Space Agency will give the sector the muscle it needs to fulfill its ambition. "

More:   Space.com

More:   BBC

[Mike]

Hmm... Starts 1st April.

[mickw]

Hmm... Starts 1st April.

Isn't this supposedly the same crew that cut astronomical funding ?