The UK Government has published its first-ever National Space Strategy setting out its plans for the UK in space and bringing together civil and defence policy for the first time.
The National Space Strategy is designed to help UK’s multibillion-pound space industry grow, boost private investment and capitalise on UK strengths such as satellite manufacturing. It will encourage innovation by UK space businesses by unlocking private finance. It will also help position the UK at the frontier of space research, whether that’s by supporting the first UK spaceport satellite launch due in 2022, or leading international space missions that help tackle global challenges such as climate change.
The government said that the space sector is worth over £16bn per year to the UK economy and plays a “pivotal role in our daily lives”, from connecting people with their friends and family, to monitoring the climate to helping farmers manage their crops.
The 42-page document sees the Government vow to make the UK the first in Europe to launch a small satellite next year from spaceports which are currently under development.
A number of the proposed spaceports are in Scotland, in Shetland, Sutherland, Argyll, Prestwick and Outer Hebrides; while there are also locations in Cornwall and Snowdonia.
In his foreword to the report, UK leader, Boris Johnson says the strategy is all about “tapping our vast pools of talent and enthusiasm”.
“It’s a plan that will level up the UK by bringing opportunity ... with satellites being propelled into orbit from as far afield as Cornwall and Sutherland as soon as next year,” the Prime Minister writes.
“A plan that will create more jobs by putting rocket boosters the size of a Saturn V’s F1 under British space businesses. And a plan that will see us take a leading role on the international stage, Global Britain becoming Galactic Britain as we work with other nations to pursue exciting missions and with the UN to set the standards that will ensure space is used responsibly and safely.”
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Scotland Space Day - 20th October 2021
If you're in Dubai for World Expo, make sure to visit Scottish Development International at the UK Pavillion on the 20th October 2021 as Scotland celebrates Scotland's Space Day - the event will be packed full of information on the Scottish Space industry with key speakers from around the industry to offer insight into the future of this sector in Scotland and around the world.
