Second Report - UK space strategy and UK satellite infrastructure

The government announced almost £400m of new investment in Earth Observation in November 2022, including subscription to ESA EO programmes and an Earth Observation Investment Package.

The government announced almost £400m of new investment in Earth Observation in November 2022, including subscription to ESA EO programmes and an Earth Observation Investment Package, but does not provide any actions to specifically support the transition to Net Zero using EO or set out detailed actions.

The government announced almost £400m of new investment in Earth Observation in November 2022, including subscription to ESA EO programmes and an Earth Observation Investment Package, but did not publish a 'Plan B' for Copernicus.

The UK Space Agency is currently developing Phase Two of the programme (subject to HM Treasury approval), which will build on Phase One to support a commercially sustainable UK launch capability.

Quarterly review meetings are part of the governance framework between CAA and DfT. Staffing requirements are kept under review and the CAA has continued to recruit staff since its formation in July of 2021 in order to meet its commitments.

The UK is working closely with international authorities, including the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), including seconding FAA staff to the CAA regulatory team. The Department for Transport is working to negotiate a bilateral agreement on regulatory cooperation with the FAA and US Government.

The government states UKSA, MoD, and other departments work jointly to deliver the UK SST and SDA capability, with phase one of a joint civilian-military National Space Operations Centre expected to go-live in April 2024.

The government launched its Plan for Space Sustainability in June 2022, which includes measures to provide global leadership and support for the adoption of internationally agreed standards.

The government describes current programmes that support space clusters, provide funding, and stimulate private investment in UK space infrastructure through the Space Clusters Infrastructure Fund (SCIF).

The Satellite Applications Catapult is a UKSA delivery partner providing co-investment into Centres of Excellence, and UKSA awarded the Catapult a multi-year grant in 2022 for ‘local growth collaboration'; Levelling Up is a Government priority, promoting space in local economic strategies and supporting the development of local space clusters.

The government will invest up to £40m in two international programmes, focused on exploration and science, to support academic communities and research and promote international collaboration. These funds will complement the UK's investment through ESA, including academic R&D teams working on space science/exploration science missions and working with priority countries on pillar 2 of the National Space Strategy.

The government will establish the National Space Skills Institute (NSSI) to catalyse investment in innovative training programs, co-design employability programs, and support the development of more space-specific apprenticeships. The UKSA will continue to deliver the Space Placements in Industry (SPIN) Programme, with increased funding in 2023 and plans for expansion in 2024 and 2025.

The Prime Minister has re-established the National Space Council as an Inter-Ministerial Group, chaired by the DSIT Secretary of State, to coordinate overall Government policy on space-related issues.

The government states that the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy recently created a cross government Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) team to take forward this agenda.

The DfT fully funds the CAA’s spaceflight regulation functions and works with the CAA to ensure it has the resources necessary to discharge its duties, they engage proactively with all potential licensees and the CAA works with potential applicants to provide guidance as they navigate the regulatory framework.

The government states it remains committed to Active Debris Removal missions and is at the forefront of this work through ESA programmes and a national mission, attracting providers through its regulatory framework.