UK outlines space ambitions

The British National Space Centre today published ‘UK Civil Space Strategy: 2008 – 2012 and beyond’, a strategy document outlining how the UK can increase its share in the growing international space sector.

With the space sector supporting 70,000 jobs and contributing around £7bn to the economy, Science and Innovation Minister Ian Pearson said that the UK would continue making progress in this area through a series of measures.

These include the establishment of an international space facility at Harwell, Oxfordshire, which will focus on climate change, robotic space exploration and applications; and closer involvement in international initiatives on the future shape of space exploration to the Moon, Mars and beyond.

He added that the UK would remain involved in Earth observation, space science and telecoms developments; and set up a National Space Technology Programme to support the development of new, innovative technologies and services.