UK to invest £374m a year with ESA

The UK is to continue its active role as part of ESA, industry secretary Andrea Leadsom confirmed following the ministerial council meeting in Seville this week. As ESA is not part of the European Union’s organisations, the UK’s involvement is not affected by Brexit.

Leadsom agreed at the meeting that the UK Space Agency (UKSA) would contribute £375m a year for the next five years towards ESA’s international space programs. “We are delighted to be making this investment in ESA today. From improving communication and connectivity, to helping us monitor the impact of climate change and protect our power grid, our membership of this international organisation will further our position as a space, innovation and climate superpower,” Leadsom said.

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The commitment marks a 10 per cent increase in space investment, which is being matched by the other ESA members. This reflects a desire to increase the number and ambition of space missions, including studies of black holes using gravitational waves and the upcoming comet interceptor mission.