Source · Select Committees · Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Recommendation 26
26
Acknowledged
The Satellite Applications Catapult has been instrumental in securing the establishment and development of space...
Recommendation
The Satellite Applications Catapult has been instrumental in securing the establishment and development of space sector SMEs and driving the growth of Harwell space campus. The Government should provide further support to the Satellite Applications Catapult, which will in turn stimulate the growth and success of space companies. Given that the Government’s levelling up white paper says that “the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy will aim to invest at least 55% of its total domestic R&D funding outside the Greater South East by 2024–25”, we would encourage the Government to be even more ambitious. Support for space R&D undertaken outside of Harwell should be in line with the proportion of the UK population living outside of the Greater South East. This would promote the growth of new space clusters and expand the space sector’s reach. (Paragraph 119) International considerations
Government Response Summary
The National Space Strategy and the UKSA Corporate plan 2022 – 25 reiterated the commitment to delivering a coherent set of national space programmes but did not provide specific support to the Satellite Applications Catapult.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The National Space Strategy and the UKSA Corporate plan 2022 – 25 reiterated our commitment to delivering a coherent set of national space programmes. The nature and scale of space programmes can mean that some bi- and multi-lateral programmes deliver better value of money for the tax-payer, but the opportunity to deliver the UK’s objectives Government Response: UK space strategy and UK satellite infrastructure 15 through national programmes is a key consideration in shaping investment decisions. The further details that will be made available in early 2023 on the space sector policy and capabilities will provide a next layer of detail on how government interventions will ensure that programmes and funding align with the National Space Strategy objectives.