British National Space Centre: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Former agency of the government of the United Kingdom}}
{{For|the centre in Leicester|National Space Centre}}
{{For|the centre in Leicester|National Space Centre}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}

{{Use British English|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox Space agency
{{Infobox Space agency
|name = British National Space Centre
|name = British National Space Centre
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|image = BNSC Logo.svg
|image = BNSC Logo.svg
|caption = Official logo of the British National Space Centre
|caption = Official logo of the British National Space Centre
|established = 1985
|established = {{Start date and age|1985||}}
|region served = {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[United Kingdom]]
|jurisdiction = [[United Kingdom]]
|location = North Star Way, [[Swindon]]
|headquarters = Polaris House, Swindon
|headquarters = Polaris House, Swindon
|spaceport = None
|spaceport = None
|administrator = [[David Williams (space administrator)|David Williams]]<ref>BNSC website [http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/content.aspx?nid=6006 "Director General"], retrieved on 31 October 2007.</ref><ref>BNSC press release, 2 February 2006 [http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/content.aspx?nid=6887 "New Director General for British National Space Centre"], retrieved on 31 October 2007.</ref>
|administrator = [[David Williams (space administrator)|David Williams]]<ref>{{cite news|title=New Director General for British National Space Centre|url=https://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-news-1.nsf/54e6de9e0c383719802572b9005141ed/88c9735b23f653da802572ab004bc869?OpenDocument |date=February 2, 2006|access-date=November 24, 2022}}</ref>
|budget = £268 million (US$438 million) (2008/09)[http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/5551.aspx]
|budget = {{currency|268|GBP}} million ({{currency|438|USD}} million) (2008/09)[https://web.archive.org/web/20090205051626/http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/5551.aspx]
|URL =
}}
}}


The '''British National Space Centre''' ('''BNSC''') was an agency of the [[Government of the United Kingdom]], organised in 1985, that coordinated civil space activities for the [[United Kingdom|UK]]. It was replaced on 1 April 2010 by the [[UK Space Agency|United Kingdom Space Agency (UKSA)]].<ref name="bbc">{{cite web|last=Amos |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8579270.stm |title= 'Muscular' UK Space Agency launched |publisher=BBC News |first=Jonathan |date=23 March 2010 |accessdate=23 March 2010}}</ref>
The '''British National Space Centre''' ('''BNSC''') was an agency of the [[Government of the United Kingdom]], organised in 1985, that coordinated civil space activities for the [[United Kingdom]]. It was replaced on 1 April 2010 by the [[UK Space Agency]].<ref name="bbc">{{cite web|last=Amos |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8579270.stm |title= 'Muscular' UK Space Agency launched |work=[[BBC News]] |first=Jonathan |date=23 March 2010 |accessdate=23 March 2010}}</ref>


==Structure==
==Structure==
BNSC operated as a voluntary partnership of ten [[departments of the United Kingdom government|British government departments and agencies]] and [[Research Council|research councils]]. The civil portion of the [[British space programme]] focused on [[space science]], Earth observation, satellite telecommunications, and global navigation (for example [[Global Positioning System|GPS]] and [[Galileo positioning system|Galileo]]). The latest version of the UK civil space strategy which defined the goals of BNSC was published in February 2008.<ref>[http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/5550.aspx "UK Civil Space Strategy 2008 - 2012"].
BNSC operated as a voluntary partnership of ten [[departments of the United Kingdom government|British government departments and agencies]] and [[UK Research Councils|Research Councils]]. The civil portion of the [[British space programme]] focused on [[space science]], Earth observation, satellite telecommunications, and global navigation (for example [[Global Positioning System|GPS]] and [[Galileo positioning system|Galileo]]). The latest version of the UK civil space strategy which defined the goals of BNSC was published in February 2008.<ref>[http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/5550.aspx "UK Civil Space Strategy 2008 - 2012"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221154649/http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/5550.aspx |date=21 February 2009 }}.
</ref> Notably the BNSC had a policy against human spaceflight,<ref name="BNSC-human">{{cite web |title=UK vision to stay at the forefront of space sector published |url=http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/7203.aspx |accessdate=2009-05-29}}</ref> and did not contribute to the [[International Space Station]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.esa.int/esaHS/partstates.html |title=European Participation, ISS Participating States |accessdate=2009-05-29 }}</ref>
</ref> Notably the BNSC had a policy against human spaceflight,<ref name="BNSC-human">{{cite web |title=UK vision to stay at the forefront of space sector published |url=http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/7203.aspx |accessdate=29 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090602051751/http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/7203.aspx |archivedate=2 June 2009 }}</ref> and did not contribute to the [[International Space Station]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.esa.int/esaHS/partstates.html |title=European Participation, ISS Participating States |accessdate=29 May 2009 }}</ref>


===Staffing arrangements===
===Staffing arrangements===
Rather than being a full space agency as maintained by some other countries, BNSC HQ comprised about thirty civil servants on rotation from the partners. The [[Department for Business, Innovation and Skills]] (BIS) was the 'host' department and provided the central policy staff including the Director General. The last DG, Dr. David Williams, was the first to have been externally appointed. Much of Britain's yearly civil space budget of £268 million was contributed by the [[Department of Trade and Industry (United Kingdom)|Department of Trade and Industry]] (until the DTI was broken up in 2007) or controlled by the partnership rather than the BNSC, and about three-quarters of that budget flows directly to the [[European Space Agency]].<ref name="hww">[http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/content.aspx?nid=5589 BNSC - How we work], BNSC website, retrieved 15 July 2009: "In the year 2008-9, BNSC's partners spent £268 million on space programmes - about 76% of which was the UK's contribution to European Space Agency"</ref> BNSC staff represented the UK at the various programme boards of ESA and also its governing Council. In 2004, the budget for BNSC headquarters was approximately £500,000 (US$1 million).<ref>"British Audit Finds Strengths, Needs in Space Program", Peter de Selding, ''Space News'', 29 March 2004.<-- http://www.space.com/spacenews/archive04/auditarch_032904.html now offline --></ref>
Rather than being a full space agency as maintained by some other countries, BNSC HQ comprised about thirty civil servants on rotation from the partners. The [[Department for Business, Innovation and Skills]] (BIS) was the 'host' department and provided the central policy staff including the Director General. The last DG, Dr. David Williams, was the first to have been externally appointed. Much of Britain's yearly civil space budget of £268 million was contributed by the [[Department of Trade and Industry (United Kingdom)|Department of Trade and Industry]] (until the DTI was broken up in 2007) or controlled by the partnership rather than the BNSC, and about three-quarters of that budget flows directly to the [[European Space Agency]].<ref name="hww">[http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/content.aspx?nid=5589 BNSC - How we work] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070606214446/http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/content.aspx?nid=5589 |date=6 June 2007 }}, BNSC website. Retrieved 15 July 2009: "In the year 2008-9, BNSC's partners spent £268 million on space programmes - about 76% of which was the UK's contribution to European Space Agency"</ref> BNSC staff represented the UK at the various programme boards of ESA and also its governing Council. In 2004, the budget for BNSC headquarters was approximately £500,000 (US$1 million).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.space.com/spacenews/archive04/auditarch_032904.html |title=British Audit Finds Strengths, Needs in Space Program|first=Peter |last=de Selding |website=Space News|accessdate=9 March 2007 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050210200317/http://space.com/spacenews/archive04/auditarch_032904.html |archivedate=10 February 2005 }}</ref>


<!-- These news references are no longer used in the article text but have some potential <ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7244028.stm "Ministers consider UK astronauts"], Pallab Ghosh, BBC News, 14 February 2008.</ref>
<!-- These news references are no longer used in the article text but have some potential <ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7244028.stm "Ministers consider UK astronauts"], Pallab Ghosh, BBC News, 14 February 2008.</ref>
<ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article3367800.ece "UK could overturn Thatcher space ban on manned missions"], Philippe Naughton, ''The Times'', 14 February 2008.</ref>
<ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article3367800.ece "UK could overturn Thatcher space ban on manned missions"], Philippe Naughton, ''The Times'', 14 February 2008.</ref>
<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/feb/14/spaceexploration.spacetechnology "UK carves out its place in space, but hopes for Britons on moon dashed"], Ian Sample, ''The Guardian'', 14 February 2008.</ref>-->
<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/feb/14/spaceexploration.spacetechnology "UK carves out its place in space, but hopes for Britons on moon dashed"], Ian Sample, ''The Guardian'', 14 February 2008.</ref>-->
From January 2009, the BNSC was headquartered in [[Swindon]], Wiltshire, in the same building as the [[Science and Technology Facilities Council]] ([[Research Councils]]) and the [[Technology Strategy Board]]. BNSC was directed by the Minister for Science and Innovation, [[Paul Drayson]].<ref>
From January 2009, the BNSC was headquartered in [[Swindon]], Wiltshire, in the same building as the [[Science and Technology Facilities Council]] ([[UK Research Councils|Research Councils]]) and the [[Technology Strategy Board]]. BNSC was directed by the Minister for Science and Innovation, [[Paul Drayson]].<ref>
BNSC press release, 28 June 2007 [http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/content.aspx?nid=6327&hl=machinery "Machinery of Government Changes"], retrieved on 31 October 2007.
BNSC press release, 28 June 2007 [http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/content.aspx?nid=6327&hl=machinery "Machinery of Government Changes"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703121029/http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/content.aspx?nid=6327&hl=machinery |date=3 July 2007 }}. Retrieved 31 October 2007.
</ref><ref>
</ref><ref>
BNSC website, [http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/content.aspx?nid=5549 "Space Minister"], retrieved on 9 February 2009.
BNSC website, [http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/content.aspx?nid=5549 "Space Minister"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070917082413/http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/content.aspx?nid=5549 |date=17 September 2007 }}. Retrieved 9 February 2009.
</ref>
</ref>


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===ESA===
===ESA===
The BNSC was the third largest financial contributor to the General Budget of the [[European Space Agency]], contributing 17.4%,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/6185.aspx |title=BNSC and ESA |accessdate=2009-05-29}}</ref> to its Science Programme and to its robotic exploration initiative the [[Aurora programme]]. Investments were also made in the ESA telecommunications programme 'ARTES' in order to develop payload technology used, for example, in the satellites of [[Inmarsat]], the UK based mobile satellite operator. The BNSC partnership co-funded a private sector project led by Avanti Communications [http://www.avanti-communications.com/avanti_homepage.htm] to build a satellite called HYLAS <ref>[http://www.avanti-communications.com/satellite_hylas.htm 'Our satellite HYLAS']</ref> to provide broadband communications to rural and remote users.
The BNSC was the third largest financial contributor to the General Budget of the [[European Space Agency]], contributing 17.4%,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/6185.aspx |title=BNSC and ESA |accessdate=29 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090420042059/http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/6185.aspx |archivedate=20 April 2009 }}</ref> to its Science Programme and to its robotic exploration initiative the [[Aurora programme]]. Investments were also made in the ESA telecommunications programme 'ARTES' in order to develop payload technology used, for example, in the satellites of [[Inmarsat]], the UK based mobile satellite operator. The BNSC partnership co-funded a private sector project led by Avanti Communications [https://web.archive.org/web/20090214082900/http://avanti-communications.com/avanti_homepage.htm] to build a satellite called HYLAS<ref>[http://www.avanti-communications.com/satellite_hylas.htm 'Our satellite HYLAS'] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210083724/http://www.avanti-communications.com/satellite_hylas.htm |date=10 February 2009 }}</ref> to provide broadband communications to rural and remote users.


Current projects in the field of space science include [[LISA Pathfinder]], for which UK industry is the prime contractor and UK universities are building major payload elements; the astrometry [[Gaia mission]], for which UK industry is supplying the detectors, avionics, software and data processing electronics; and the [[James Webb Space Telescope]], for which a UK consortium led by the [[UK Astronomy Technology Centre]] is building the European part of the Mid Infra Red Instrument (MIRI)[http://www.stsci.edu/jwst/instruments/miri/]. The UK has contributed the SPIRE instrument for the [[Herschel Space Observatory]] and detector and cooling system technology for the [[Planck (spacecraft)|Planck]] [[cosmic microwave background]] mission. In the field of Earth observation, projects include the ESA [[ADM-Aeolus]] wind profiling mission, for which UK industry is the prime contractor and [[CryoSat-2]] which is directed by UK scientist Professor Duncan Wingham of [[University College London]]. Recent BNSC activities include the Mosaic small satellite programme, which led to the launch of the [[TopSat]] high resolution EO mission and also the [[Disaster Monitoring Constellation]].
Current projects in the field of space science include [[LISA Pathfinder]], for which UK industry is the prime contractor and UK universities are building major payload elements; the astrometry [[Gaia mission]], for which UK industry is supplying the detectors, avionics, software and data processing electronics; and the [[James Webb Space Telescope]], for which a UK consortium led by the [[UK Astronomy Technology Centre]] is building the European part of the Mid Infra Red Instrument (MIRI)[https://archive.today/20120805170501/http://www.stsci.edu/jwst/instruments/miri/]. The UK has contributed the SPIRE instrument for the [[Herschel Space Observatory]] and detector and cooling system technology for the [[Planck (spacecraft)|Planck]] [[cosmic microwave background]] mission. In the field of Earth observation, projects include the ESA [[ADM-Aeolus]] wind profiling mission, for which UK industry is the prime contractor and [[CryoSat-2]] which is directed by UK scientist Professor Duncan Wingham of [[University College London]]. Recent BNSC activities include the Mosaic small satellite programme, which led to the launch of the [[TopSat]] high resolution EO mission and also the [[Disaster Monitoring Constellation]].


===Harwell===
===Harwell===
In November 2008, BNSC announced new contributions to ESA and an agreement in principle to establish an ESA centre at the [[Harwell Science and Innovation Campus]] in [[Oxfordshire]].<ref>[http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/7302.aspx "Deal struck on UK-ESA Research Centre and GMES"] BNSC press release, 26 November 2008.</ref> The ESA facility at Harwell was opened officially on 22 July 2009.<ref>[http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/News%20and%20Events/Press%20Notices/10413.aspx "European Space Agency touches down in UK"] BNSC press release, 22 July 2009</ref> The name of the ESA centre is the [[European Robotics and Climate Change Centre]].
In November 2008, BNSC announced new contributions to ESA and an agreement in principle to establish an ESA centre at the [[Harwell Science and Innovation Campus]] in [[Oxfordshire]].<ref>[http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/7302.aspx "Deal struck on UK-ESA Research Centre and GMES"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090315002216/http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/7302.aspx |date=15 March 2009 }} BNSC press release, 26 November 2008.</ref> The ESA facility at Harwell was opened officially on 22 July 2009.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090902171630/http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/News%20and%20Events/Press%20Notices/10413.aspx "European Space Agency touches down in UK"] BNSC press release, 22 July 2009</ref> The name of the ESA centre is the [[European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications]].
In February 2009, BNSC, ESA and [[Reaction Engines Limited]] announced a [[public–private partnership]] funding scheme to demonstrate key technologies of the [[SABRE (rocket engine)|SABRE engine]] for the proposed [[Skylon (spacecraft)|Skylon spaceplane]].<ref>[http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/7309.aspx "The rocket that thinks it's a jet"] BNSC press release, 19 February 2009</ref>
In February 2009, BNSC, ESA and [[Reaction Engines Limited]] announced a [[public–private partnership]] funding scheme to demonstrate key technologies of the [[SABRE (rocket engine)|SABRE engine]] for the proposed [[Skylon (spacecraft)|Skylon spaceplane]].<ref>[http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/7309.aspx "The rocket that thinks it's a jet"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227120153/http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/7309.aspx |date=27 February 2009 }} BNSC press release, 19 February 2009</ref>


==Partners==
==Partners==
BNSC Partners:<ref>BNSC website, [http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/content.aspx?nid=5597 "BNSC Partners"], retrieved on 31 October 2007.
BNSC Partners:<ref>BNSC website, [http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/content.aspx?nid=5597 "BNSC Partners"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070716141400/http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/content.aspx?nid=5597 |date=16 July 2007 }}. Retrieved 31 October 2007.
</ref>
</ref>
* [[Department for Business, Innovation and Skills]]
* [[Department for Business, Innovation and Skills]]
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==External links==
==External links==
* '''[http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/ British National Space Centre]'''
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20041109092733/http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/ British National Space Centre]
* [http://spaceigs.co.uk/ UK Government Space IGS (Innovation and Growth Strategy)]
* [http://spaceigs.co.uk/ UK Government Space IGS (Innovation and Growth Strategy)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221221115154/http://www.spaceigs.co.uk/ |date=21 December 2022 }}
* Douglas Millard, [http://www.esa.int/esapub/hsr/HSR_36.pdf An Overview of United Kingdom Space Activity 1957-1987], [[ESA]]
* Douglas Millard, [http://www.esa.int/esapub/hsr/HSR_36.pdf An Overview of United Kingdom Space Activity 1957-1987], [[ESA]]


==Video clips==
'''Video clips'''
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rd-mE6EtimE Interview with David Williams in 2008]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rd-mE6EtimE Interview with David Williams in 2008]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7R_ETBDCksE UK in space: BNSC video 2009]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7R_ETBDCksE UK in space: BNSC video 2009]


{{Public sector space agencies}}
{{Politics of outer space}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|51.5672|-1.7855|display=title}}
{{Coord|51.5672|-1.7855|display=title}}

{{Public sector space agencies}}


{{Use British English|date=January 2014}}


[[Category:Space programme of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Space programme of the United Kingdom]]
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[[Category:Space technology research institutes]]
[[Category:Space technology research institutes]]
[[Category:Government agencies disestablished in 2010]]
[[Category:Government agencies disestablished in 2010]]
[[Category:1985 establishments in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:1985 establishments in England]]
[[Category:2010 disestablishments in England]]


[[fr:UK Space Agency]]
[[fr:UK Space Agency]]

Latest revision as of 10:46, 16 October 2023

British National Space Centre
Official logo of the British National Space Centre
Agency overview
AbbreviationBNSC
Formed1985; 39 years ago (1985)
TypeSpace agency
JurisdictionUnited Kingdom
HeadquartersPolaris House, Swindon
AdministratorDavid Williams[1]
Primary spaceportNone
Annual budget£268 million (US$438 million) (2008/09)[1]

The British National Space Centre (BNSC) was an agency of the Government of the United Kingdom, organised in 1985, that coordinated civil space activities for the United Kingdom. It was replaced on 1 April 2010 by the UK Space Agency.[2]

Structure[edit]

BNSC operated as a voluntary partnership of ten British government departments and agencies and Research Councils. The civil portion of the British space programme focused on space science, Earth observation, satellite telecommunications, and global navigation (for example GPS and Galileo). The latest version of the UK civil space strategy which defined the goals of BNSC was published in February 2008.[3] Notably the BNSC had a policy against human spaceflight,[4] and did not contribute to the International Space Station.[5]

Staffing arrangements[edit]

Rather than being a full space agency as maintained by some other countries, BNSC HQ comprised about thirty civil servants on rotation from the partners. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) was the 'host' department and provided the central policy staff including the Director General. The last DG, Dr. David Williams, was the first to have been externally appointed. Much of Britain's yearly civil space budget of £268 million was contributed by the Department of Trade and Industry (until the DTI was broken up in 2007) or controlled by the partnership rather than the BNSC, and about three-quarters of that budget flows directly to the European Space Agency.[6] BNSC staff represented the UK at the various programme boards of ESA and also its governing Council. In 2004, the budget for BNSC headquarters was approximately £500,000 (US$1 million).[7]

From January 2009, the BNSC was headquartered in Swindon, Wiltshire, in the same building as the Science and Technology Facilities Council (Research Councils) and the Technology Strategy Board. BNSC was directed by the Minister for Science and Innovation, Paul Drayson.[8][9]

Projects funded through BNSC[edit]

ESA[edit]

The BNSC was the third largest financial contributor to the General Budget of the European Space Agency, contributing 17.4%,[10] to its Science Programme and to its robotic exploration initiative the Aurora programme. Investments were also made in the ESA telecommunications programme 'ARTES' in order to develop payload technology used, for example, in the satellites of Inmarsat, the UK based mobile satellite operator. The BNSC partnership co-funded a private sector project led by Avanti Communications [2] to build a satellite called HYLAS[11] to provide broadband communications to rural and remote users.

Current projects in the field of space science include LISA Pathfinder, for which UK industry is the prime contractor and UK universities are building major payload elements; the astrometry Gaia mission, for which UK industry is supplying the detectors, avionics, software and data processing electronics; and the James Webb Space Telescope, for which a UK consortium led by the UK Astronomy Technology Centre is building the European part of the Mid Infra Red Instrument (MIRI)[3]. The UK has contributed the SPIRE instrument for the Herschel Space Observatory and detector and cooling system technology for the Planck cosmic microwave background mission. In the field of Earth observation, projects include the ESA ADM-Aeolus wind profiling mission, for which UK industry is the prime contractor and CryoSat-2 which is directed by UK scientist Professor Duncan Wingham of University College London. Recent BNSC activities include the Mosaic small satellite programme, which led to the launch of the TopSat high resolution EO mission and also the Disaster Monitoring Constellation.

Harwell[edit]

In November 2008, BNSC announced new contributions to ESA and an agreement in principle to establish an ESA centre at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire.[12] The ESA facility at Harwell was opened officially on 22 July 2009.[13] The name of the ESA centre is the European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications. In February 2009, BNSC, ESA and Reaction Engines Limited announced a public–private partnership funding scheme to demonstrate key technologies of the SABRE engine for the proposed Skylon spaceplane.[14]

Partners[edit]

BNSC Partners:[15]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "New Director General for British National Space Centre". 2 February 2006. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  2. ^ Amos, Jonathan (23 March 2010). "'Muscular' UK Space Agency launched". BBC News. Retrieved 23 March 2010.
  3. ^ "UK Civil Space Strategy 2008 - 2012" Archived 21 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine.
  4. ^ "UK vision to stay at the forefront of space sector published". Archived from the original on 2 June 2009. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
  5. ^ "European Participation, ISS Participating States". Retrieved 29 May 2009.
  6. ^ BNSC - How we work Archived 6 June 2007 at the Wayback Machine, BNSC website. Retrieved 15 July 2009: "In the year 2008-9, BNSC's partners spent £268 million on space programmes - about 76% of which was the UK's contribution to European Space Agency"
  7. ^ de Selding, Peter. "British Audit Finds Strengths, Needs in Space Program". Space News. Archived from the original on 10 February 2005. Retrieved 9 March 2007.
  8. ^ BNSC press release, 28 June 2007 "Machinery of Government Changes" Archived 3 July 2007 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 31 October 2007.
  9. ^ BNSC website, "Space Minister" Archived 17 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 9 February 2009.
  10. ^ "BNSC and ESA". Archived from the original on 20 April 2009. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
  11. ^ 'Our satellite HYLAS' Archived 10 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ "Deal struck on UK-ESA Research Centre and GMES" Archived 15 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine BNSC press release, 26 November 2008.
  13. ^ "European Space Agency touches down in UK" BNSC press release, 22 July 2009
  14. ^ "The rocket that thinks it's a jet" Archived 27 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine BNSC press release, 19 February 2009
  15. ^ BNSC website, "BNSC Partners" Archived 16 July 2007 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 31 October 2007.

External links[edit]

Video clips

51°34′02″N 1°47′08″W / 51.5672°N 1.7855°W / 51.5672; -1.7855