UK Space Agency

The UK Space Agency (UKSA) is a UK government agency responsible for the national space program. It was founded on April 1, 2010 and replaces the British National Space Center . She assumes responsibility for strategy in space and represents the UK on all space issues. It should also put all British civil space activities under the supervision of a single authority. Initially, she will work at the existing BNSC headquarters in Swindon , Wiltshire .

Foundation and goals

The establishment of the United Kingdom Space Agency was announced by Lord Mandelson , Lord Drayson and astronaut Timothy Peake on March 23, 2010. The agency started its work on April 1, 2010. The UK Space Agency received approximately £ 230 million to establish and manage it from other organizations. Before the UK Space Agency was founded, the satellite and space industries were valued at £ 6 billion and employed 68,000 people. The agency's goal is for this industry to be worth £ 40 billion by 2030, provide 100,000 jobs and produce at least 10% of the world's space products (currently 6%). These plans come from the Space Innovation and Growth Strategy (Space-IGS) .

International Space Innovation Center

Part of the UK Space Agency will be the £ 40million International Space Innovation Center (ISIC) to be built in Harwell , Oxford , near a European Space Agency research institute . Some of the tasks are to monitor climate change and review the safety of space systems. The government pays 24 million of the construction costs and the space industry pays the rest (16 million pounds). Over a period of 5 years, 700 jobs will be created.

tasks

The UK Space Agency does the following for other agencies:

• Full responsibility and staff of the British National Space Center is assumed.
• Contribution to the European Space Agency for Natural Environment Research Council , Science and Technology Facilities Council and Technology Strategy Board , including project grants and start preparations.
• The UK part of Global Monitoring for Environment and Security and Galileo
• The financial part of the European Union Satellite Center
• Funding of space technologies and appointments to the UK Research Council and Technology Strategy Board

Web links

• UK Space Agency website

Individual evidence

1. ^ UK Space Agency announced . ESA, March 24, 2010