UK Space Agency

{{Infobox space agency

|name = UK Space Agency

|image = UK Space Agency logo.svg

|size = 200px

|abbreviation = UKSA

|formation = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2010|04|01}}

|headquarters = Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire{{Cite web |title=UK Space Agency announces new headquarters and regional offices |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-space-agency-announces-new-headquarters-and-regional-offices |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}

|coordinates = {{coord|51|34|50.2|N|1|18|28.8|W|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}}

|jurisdiction = United Kingdom, Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories

|leader_name = Peter Kyle
{{small|(Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology)}}

|leader_title = Minister responsible

|leader_title2 = Chief Executive

|leader_name2 = Paul Bate

|leader_title3 = Deputy Chief Executives

|leader_name3 = Annelies Look and Chris White-Horne

|owner = Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

|budget = {{currency|469|GBP}} million (2019/2020){{cite web

| title = UK Space Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2019 to 2020

| url = https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/901360/HC606_UK_Space_Agency_Annual_Report_2019-20.pdf

| access-date = 25 March 2021}}

|website = {{URL|https://gov.uk/uksa}}

}}

The United Kingdom Space Agency (UKSA) is an executive agency of the Government of the United Kingdom, responsible for the United Kingdom's civil space programme. It was established on 1 April 2010 to replace the British National Space Centre (BNSC) and took over responsibility for government policy and key budgets for space exploration; it represents the United Kingdom in all negotiations on space matters.{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Welcome_to_ESA/UK_Space_Agency_announced|title=UK Space Agency announced|last=esa|website=European Space Agency|access-date=3 May 2019|archive-date=3 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503151526/http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Welcome_to_ESA/UK_Space_Agency_announced|url-status=live}} The Agency "[brings] together all UK civil space activities under one single management". It is based at the Harwell Campus near Didcot.{{Cite web |date=25 March 2024 |title=UK Space Agency announces new headquarters and regional offices |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-space-agency-announces-new-headquarters-and-regional-offices |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}

History and aims

The creation of the UK Space Agency was first publicly announced by UK Minister of State for Science and Innovation, Lord Drayson, on 10 December 2009 during a speech at the Rutherford Appleton Lab (RAL) space conference. As the UK Space Agency neared its opening day, Lord Mandelson, Lord Drayson and astronaut Tim Peake officially announced its establishment at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre on 23 March 2010. On that day, a ceremony was held in which Queen Elizabeth II unveiled a plaque at the entrance to the centre.{{cite news|title=UK Space Agency|url=https://phys.org/partners/uk-space-agency/|date=23 March 2010|publisher=Phys.org|access-date=26 November 2022|archive-date=27 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127071803/https://phys.org/partners/uk-space-agency/|url-status=live}}

Around £230 million of funding and management functions were merged into the UK Space Agency from other organisations. "Improving co-ordination of UK efforts in fields such as Earth science, telecoms and space exploration" was to form part of its remit, according to Lord Drayson.

Prior to the creation of the agency, the space and satellite industry in the UK was valued at £9 billion and supported 68,000 jobs.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44693297/southern_illinoisan/|title=British Version of NASA to Begin Work in April|last1=Hui|first1=Sylvia|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Southern Illinoisan|location=Carbondale, Illinois|date=24 March 2010|page=6B|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=16 February 2020|archive-date=16 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216211059/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44693297/southern_illinoisan/|url-status=live}} The 20-year aim of the agency was to increase the industry to £40 billion and 100,000 jobs, and to represent 10% of worldwide space products and services (increasing from the current 6%). This plan arose from the "Space Innovation and Growth Strategy" (Space-IGS) report, published by the Space Innovation and Growth Team in February 2010.

David Williams was appointed Acting Chief Executive on 1 April 2010, and he was confirmed as the first CEO on 1 April 2011.{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}} Alice Bunn is the International Director.{{Cite news|url=https://tedxlondon.com/attend/TEDxLondonWomen2018/speaker/Dr-Alice-Bunn|title=Dr Alice Bunn – TEDxLondon|work=TEDxLondon|access-date=2018-12-01|language=en-GB|archive-date=1 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201180813/https://tedxlondon.com/attend/TEDxLondonWomen2018/speaker/Dr-Alice-Bunn|url-status=live}}

Although Space-IGS called for the UK to double European Space Agency (ESA) contributions and to initiate and lead at least three missions between 2010 and 2030, this was not committed to, with Lord Drayson stating that "We will require a compelling business case for each proposal or mission".

= Transfers of authority =

The UK Space Agency took over the following responsibilities from other government organisations:

All responsibilities, personnel, and assets of the British National Space Centre
ESA subscriptions from Natural Environment Research Council, Science and Technology Facilities Council and Technology Strategy Board, including project grants and post-launch support
UK elements of the space components of Global Monitoring for Environment and Security, and the Galileo satellite navigation system
The financial interest in the European Union Satellite Centre (agreed in principle)
Space technology and instrumentation funding from the Research Councils UK and Technology Strategy Board

On 31 January 2021, The Daily Telegraph reported that following a government "Space Landscape Review" responsibility for space policy and strategy was being transferred to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Earlier, responsibility for regulation, such as for spacecraft launch, had been transferred to the Civil Aviation Authority. A new cabinet committee, the National Space Council, was soon due to have its first meeting following its announcement in the 2019 Queen's Speech.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2021/01/31/shake-uks-space-plans-oneweb-row/ |title=Shake up for UK's space plans after OneWeb row |last=Titcomb |first=James |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |url-access=subscription |date=31 January 2021 |access-date=31 January 2021 |archive-date=31 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131074943/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2021/01/31/shake-uks-space-plans-oneweb-row/ |url-status=live }}

= UK Space Gateway =

The UK Space Gateway at Harwell, Oxfordshire is a focal point for growth in the UK's space sector. Harwell is home to a growing number of space organisations including start-ups, inward investors, corporate offices, the Satellite Applications Catapult, RAL Space and ESA's ECSAT Facility. As of April 2016, the site is estimated to host over 600 space-related employees working in circa 60 organisations.

== The European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications (ECSAT) ==

{{Main|European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications}}

ESA’s UK facility, ECSAT, has been developing steadily since 2008, following the UK government’s decision to increase its contribution to ESA. Named after the ESA's first British Director General, Roy Gibson, ECSAT's building hosts 100+ jobs including teams in telecommunications and integrated applications. Special emphasis is put on the development of new markets for satellite-based services and applications. In addition, new satellite, ground infrastructure and product developments are being initiated through original schemes of public–private partnerships with world-class operators. The building also houses the Earth Observation Climate Office, Science and Exploration teams and Technology and Quality Management teams supporting ESA research and development programmes in the UK, focusing on 'game-changing' technologies and capabilities.

== Satellite Applications Catapult ==

The Satellite Applications Catapult is an independent innovation and technology company, created as part of the Catapult centres programme to foster growth across the economy through the exploitation of space.{{cite web|title=The Satellite Applications Catapult|url=https://sa.catapult.org.uk/|access-date=22 April 2016|archive-date=3 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703012208/https://sa.catapult.org.uk/|url-status=live}} The Catapult helps organisations make use of and benefit from satellite technologies, and bring together multi-disciplinary teams to generate ideas and solutions in an open innovation environment. It was established in May 2013 by Innovate UK (formerly known as the Technology Strategy Board) as one of a network of centres to accelerate the take-up of emerging technologies and drive economic growth. It is a not-for-profit research organisation which is registered as a private company limited by guarantee and controlled by its Board.

== International Space Innovation Centre ==

A £40m International Space Innovation Centre (ISIC) was created in 2011 at Harwell alongside the research facility for ESA. Some of its tasks were to investigate climate change, and the security of space systems. £24m of the cost of the centre was to be funded by the government, with the remainder from industry. In April 2013, ISIC merged into the newly formed Satellite Applications Catapult.{{cite report|title=National Space Programmes 2014-2015|url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/350503/National_Space_Programmes_2014_to_2015.pdf|date=July 2014|page=11|access-date=November 26, 2022|archive-date=18 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518003605/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/350503/National_Space_Programmes_2014_to_2015.pdf|url-status=live}}

== Abandoned independent satellite navigation system ==

In November 2018, the British government announced that the UK Space Agency would abandon ties to the European Space Agency's Galileo navigation system following Brexit in favour of developing its own system of navigation satellites.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-46407249|title=Minister quits over 'naive' Brexit deal|date=1 December 2018|work=BBC News|access-date=1 December 2018|language=en-GB|archive-date=17 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117172131/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-46407249|url-status=live}} The total cost of the United Kingdom Global Navigation Satellite System project was estimated at £5 billion.{{Cite web|last=Titcomb|first=James|date=8 May 2020|title=Britain's £5 billion rival to EU's Galileo satellite project faces scrap|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2020/05/08/britains-5-billion-rival-eus-galileo-satellite-project-faces/|access-date=2020-05-25|website=The Telegraph|archive-date=26 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526235502/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2020/05/08/britains-5-billion-rival-eus-galileo-satellite-project-faces/|url-status=live}}

In July 2020, the UK government and Indian conglomerate Bharti Enterprises jointly purchased the bankrupt OneWeb satellite company.{{Cite news|date=2020-07-03|title=UK takes £400m stake in satellite firm OneWeb|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-53279783|access-date=2020-07-05|archive-date=5 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705084958/https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-53279783|url-status=live}} The UKSA had advised the government that OneWeb was not suitable as a basis for a satellite navigation system.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2020/06/26/space-officials-warn-government-500m-satellite-push-could-fail/ |title=Space Agency officials say $500m OneWeb investment unsuitable for creating British sat-nav system |last1=Titcomb |first1=James |last2=Field |first2=Matthew |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |url-access=subscription |date=26 June 2020 |access-date=16 January 2021 |archive-date=31 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131075002/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2020/06/26/space-officials-warn-government-500m-satellite-push-could-fail/ |url-status=live }} On 25 September 2020, The Daily Telegraph reported that the United Kingdom Global Navigation Satellite System project had been scrapped. The project, deemed unnecessary and too expensive, will be replaced with a new project that will explore alternative ways to provide satellite navigation services.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/09/25/britain-scraps-satellite-programme-designed-replace-galileo/ |title=Britain scraps satellite programme designed to replace Galileo after Brexit |last=Diver |first=Tony |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |url-access=subscription |date=25 September 2020 |access-date=25 September 2020 |archive-date=26 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926120731/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/09/25/britain-scraps-satellite-programme-designed-replace-galileo/ |url-status=live }}

Key people

The agency's chief executive since September 2021 is Dr Paul Bate, a civil servant with a PhD in particle physics.{{Cite web|title=Dr Paul Bate|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/people/paul-bate|access-date=2022-02-13|website=GOV.UK|language=en|archive-date=13 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213162704/https://www.gov.uk/government/people/paul-bate|url-status=live}} Graham Turnock, a physicist who had previously worked at HM Treasury and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, was the chief executive from March 2017{{Cite web|title=Dr Graham Turnock|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/people/graham-turnock|access-date=2021-01-16|website=GOV.UK|language=en|archive-date=8 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108104234/https://www.gov.uk/government/people/graham-turnock|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Massey|first=Nina|date=27 November 2019|title=UK 'stands ready to play full part in European Space Agency'|language=en-GB|work=Belfast Telegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/uk-stands-ready-to-play-full-part-in-european-space-agency-38731874.html|access-date=2021-01-16|issn=0307-1235|via=Press Association|archive-date=23 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723004058/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/uk-stands-ready-to-play-full-part-in-european-space-agency-38731874.html|url-status=live}} until the end of his four-year term in 2021.{{cite news|last=Titcomb|first=James|date=13 January 2021|title=Exclusive: Head of the UK Space Agency resigns|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2021/01/13/exclusive-head-uk-space-agency-resigns/|url-access=subscription|access-date=16 January 2021|archive-date=17 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117183635/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2021/01/13/exclusive-head-uk-space-agency-resigns/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=13 January 2021|title=UK Space Agency CEO to step down|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-space-agency-ceo-to-step-down|access-date=2021-01-16|website=GOV.UK|publisher=UK Space Agency|language=en|archive-date=14 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114085036/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-space-agency-ceo-to-step-down|url-status=live}} Libby Jackson is the agency's Head of Space Exploration{{Cite web |title=New Year Honours recognition for space experts |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-year-honours-recognition-for-space-experts |access-date=2023-03-18 |website=GOV.UK |language=en |archive-date=5 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105173025/http://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-year-honours-recognition-for-space-experts |url-status=live }} and Anu Ojha is the director of Championing Space.{{Cite web |title=Professor Anu Ojha OBE |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/people/anu-ojha |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}

Spaceports

Proposed sites for spaceports, and the companies associated with them, are as follows:

SaxaVord Spaceport – Unst, Shetland Islands{{cite news |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/lift-off-for-shetland-spaceport |title=Lift-off for Shetland spaceport |website=gov.uk |date=22 October 2020 |access-date=27 February 2021 |archive-date=4 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210104223716/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/lift-off-for-shetland-spaceport |url-status=live }}
Lockheed Martin / ABL Space Systems{{cite news |url=https://spacenews.com/lockheed-martin-selects-abl-space-systems-for-uk-launch/ |title=Lockheed Martin selects ABL Space Systems for UK launch |last=Foust |first=Jeff |publisher=SpaceNews |date=7 February 2021 |access-date=27 February 2021}}
Skyrora
Space Hub Sutherland – Sutherland, Scotland{{Cite web|last=Pultarova|first=Tereza|title=Space Hub Sutherland|url=https://www.space.com/scotland-rocket-launch-spaceport-construction.html|website=Space.com|date=10 October 2019 |access-date=31 August 2020|archive-date=1 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101115601/https://www.space.com/amp/scotland-rocket-launch-spaceport-construction.html|url-status=live}}
Orbex
Spaceport Cornwall – Newquay Airport, Cornwall, England{{Cite web|last1=Whitehouse|first1=Richard|last2=Matthews|first2=Chris|date=18 September 2019|title=Cornwall Spaceport latest – Council cabinet agrees £12million funding|url=https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/cornwall-spaceport-latest-council-cabinet-3332557|access-date=16 January 2021|website=Cornwall Live|archive-date=7 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307151551/https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/cornwall-spaceport-latest-council-cabinet-3332557|url-status=live}}
Virgin Orbit

Other UK bodies

RAL Space, based at STFC's Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, carries out space research and technology development.

The Space Academic Network provides a voice for the academic research community.{{Cite web|title=website of the Space Academic Network|url=https://www.span.ac.uk/|access-date=21 May 2023|archive-date=27 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327171957/https://span.ac.uk/|url-status=live}}

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, headquartered at Porton Down, Wiltshire, began a five-year programme of defence-related space research in 2017.{{Cite web|date=4 October 2017|title=Three...two…one…blast off! Dstl launches £50 million Space Programme|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/threetwo-one-blast-off-dstl-launches-50-million-space-programme|access-date=7 February 2018|website=GOV.UK|language=en|archive-date=15 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815115431/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/threetwo-one-blast-off-dstl-launches-50-million-space-programme|url-status=live}}

References

{{Reflist|30em|refs=

{{cite news | url=http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/17628.aspx | title=New space agency and new international space centre for UK | publisher=BNSC | date=23 March 2010 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327100337/http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/17628.aspx | archive-date=27 March 2010}}

{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/8582985.stm | title=Oxfordshire to get £40m space centre | date=23 March 2010 | publisher=BBC | access-date=23 March 2010 | archive-date=16 December 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216093710/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/8582985.stm | url-status=live }}

{{cite news |last=Amos |first=Jonathan |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8579270.stm |title='Muscular' UK Space Agency launched |publisher=BBC News |date=23 March 2010 |access-date=23 March 2010 |archive-date=29 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229113924/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8579270.stm |url-status=live }}

{{cite web |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/822/made |title=The United Kingdom Space Agency (Transfer of Property etc.) Order 2011 |publisher=National Archives, via Legislation.gov.uk |access-date=15 December 2015 |archive-date=10 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010083832/http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/822/made |url-status=live }}

{{cite web |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2010-03/23/science-minister-launches-the-uk-space-agency.aspx |title=Science Minister launches the UK Space Agency |publisher=Wired.co.uk |access-date=23 March 2010 |archive-date=26 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100326115239/http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2010-03/23/science-minister-launches-the-uk-space-agency.aspx |url-status=dead }}

{{cite web | url=http://www.stfc.ac.uk/About/Struc/Council/CouncilNewsMarch2010.aspx | title=News from Council – March 2010 | publisher=STFC | date=26 March 2010 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516003256/http://www.stfc.ac.uk/About/Struc/Council/CouncilNewsMarch2010.aspx | archive-date=16 May 2013}}

}}

External links

{{official website}}
{{cite web | url=http://www.bis.gov.uk/News/Speeches/uk-space-agency-launch | title=UK Space Agency Launch – News and Speeches | author=Lord Drayson | date=23 March 2010 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328163605/http://www.bis.gov.uk/News/Speeches/uk-space-agency-launch | archive-date=28 March 2010}} ([https://www.youtube.com/bisgovuk#p/u/6/7GIaO-jBWvI video version])
[https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-space-strategy-2012-to-2016 Civil space strategy 2012 to 2016] – UK Space Agency and The Rt Hon David Willetts, July 2012
[https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/update-report-uk-space-innovation-and-growth-strategy-2015 Update report: UK Space Innovation and Growth Strategy 2015] – UK Space Agency, July 2015