Recommendations & Conclusions
15 items
1
Recommendation
Third Report - Defence Space: through a…
Acknowledged
Recent years have seen welcome, if only partially successful, attempts to bring more coherence to space activity both across Whitehall and within the Ministry of Defence. The creation of the National Space Council and the MoD’s Space Directorate were recognised by witnesses as being positive developments in this regard. As …
Read more
Recent years have seen welcome, if only partially successful, attempts to bring more coherence to space activity both across Whitehall and within the Ministry of Defence. The creation of the National Space Council and the MoD’s Space Directorate were recognised by witnesses as being positive developments in this regard. As we came to the end of our inquiry, we were therefore both surprised and concerned to note that the Government has removed the National Space Council from the list of Cabinet Committees, and that the Space Directorate looks set to be disbanded. In its response to this report the Department must provide an explanation for these changes. It should set out what new governance arrangements have been put in place and why it believes they will be more effective at swiftly implementing the vision set out in the National and Defence Space Strategies.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government states its commitment to developing the UK as a space nation, details the Cabinet Committee structure, lists ministerial responsibilities, and describes the role of the National Space Board and UK Space Command.
Read full response →
Ministry of Defence
2
Conclusion
Third Report - Defence Space: through a…
Acknowledged
Even before these recent developments, which seem to be a backward step, cross- Whitehall governance on space lacked sufficient clarity and direction. The delays to publication of the National and Defence Space Strategies frustrated industry and other stakeholders and suggest that despite the previous Prime Minister’s stated personal commitment to …
Read more
Even before these recent developments, which seem to be a backward step, cross- Whitehall governance on space lacked sufficient clarity and direction. The delays to publication of the National and Defence Space Strategies frustrated industry and other stakeholders and suggest that despite the previous Prime Minister’s stated personal commitment to making the UK “a meaningful player in space”, the Government is currently unable to drive changes through at pace, or even to meet its own deadlines. Nowhere is this better illustrated than by the continued delay and inertia surrounding space-based position, navigation and timing services, which we examine in detail later in this report.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government states its commitment to developing the UK as a space nation, details the Cabinet Committee structure, lists ministerial responsibilities, and describes the role of the National Space Board and UK Space Command.
Read full response →
Ministry of Defence
3
Recommendation
Third Report - Defence Space: through a…
Rejected
Vision must be backed up with delivery, and with space set to become ever more critical to the national interest it is clear that stronger, more cohesive leadership is required. We recommend that a Minister for Space should be appointed within the Cabinet Office to provide clear centralised direction and …
Read more
Vision must be backed up with delivery, and with space set to become ever more critical to the national interest it is clear that stronger, more cohesive leadership is required. We recommend that a Minister for Space should be appointed within the Cabinet Office to provide clear centralised direction and accountability in taking forward the UK’s civil and defence ambitions in space. This new position must be sufficiently resourced and should be given appropriate authority to effectively co- ordinate and drive forward policy and delivery. (Paragraph 29) Skills and recruitment
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government does not accept the recommendation to appoint a Minister for Space within the Cabinet Office. It states that discussions on space will be taken by the most relevant Cabinet Committee. The Minister for Science at the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy …
Read full response →
Ministry of Defence
4
Conclusion
Third Report - Defence Space: through a…
Accepted
There is a clear challenge for the Government in addressing skills shortages and recruitment and retention difficulties in the space sector. Meeting this challenge will require a long-term, holistic approach to education and workforce development. Encouraging an interest in STEM subjects and space careers from a young age will be …
Read more
There is a clear challenge for the Government in addressing skills shortages and recruitment and retention difficulties in the space sector. Meeting this challenge will require a long-term, holistic approach to education and workforce development. Encouraging an interest in STEM subjects and space careers from a young age will be vital.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government states that work is ongoing across government to inspire the future workforce and that the space sector and academia continue to benefit from broader support in STEM and other skills initiatives delivered by UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) and the Defence Science and …
Read full response →
Ministry of Defence
5
Conclusion
Third Report - Defence Space: through a…
Accepted
Defence faces particular challenges in recruiting and retaining space specialists. We were encouraged by the Minister for the Armed Forces’ support for a more flexible approach to recruitment and career management within Defence, and we support the use of secondments to and from industry. But changes must be made at …
Read more
Defence faces particular challenges in recruiting and retaining space specialists. We were encouraged by the Minister for the Armed Forces’ support for a more flexible approach to recruitment and career management within Defence, and we support the use of secondments to and from industry. But changes must be made at pace if we are not to fall further behind both our adversaries and our peers. (Paragraph 44) Defence Space: through adversity to the stars? 37
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government states that foundation space training is already readily available across Defence through the Defence Learning Environment, where practitioner and expert courses are also well-established and available to all MOD personnel through the Air and Space Warfare School. A new foundational course will be …
Read full response →
Ministry of Defence
6
Recommendation
Third Report - Defence Space: through a…
Accepted
Space literacy must also be embedded across Defence if multi-domain integration is to succeed. As well as establishing a Space Academy for defence space specialists, the MoD must ensure that wider professional military education comprehensively covers the role played by space in modern warfare. In its response to this report …
Read more
Space literacy must also be embedded across Defence if multi-domain integration is to succeed. As well as establishing a Space Academy for defence space specialists, the MoD must ensure that wider professional military education comprehensively covers the role played by space in modern warfare. In its response to this report the Department should update us on its progress towards establishing a Space Academy and should set out target dates for the inclusion of space education on staff courses and across the Defence Academy curriculum. (Paragraph 45) Threats and Hazards
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government states that foundation space training is already available through the Defence Learning Environment and other courses. They are refining the UK Space Academy training requirements prior to engaging for partnering opportunities, with formal tendering towards the end of 2022.
Read full response →
Ministry of Defence
7
Conclusion
Third Report - Defence Space: through a…
Acknowledged
The response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has underlined the importance of the international community taking a united approach in the face of irresponsible and aggressive behaviour. We welcome the UK’s leading role at the United Nations in seeking to achieve a consensus on responsible norms and behaviours in space …
Read more
The response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has underlined the importance of the international community taking a united approach in the face of irresponsible and aggressive behaviour. We welcome the UK’s leading role at the United Nations in seeking to achieve a consensus on responsible norms and behaviours in space and we support and encourage the Government in continuing to drive this work forward. An update on progress to date should be included in the Department’s response to this report.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government welcomes the Committee’s support in continuing to take a leading role at the United Nations on responsible space behaviours. The MOD is working closely with the FCDO on this initiative and the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a UK-sponsored resolution (A/RES/76/231) on 24 …
Read full response →
Ministry of Defence
8
Recommendation
Third Report - Defence Space: through a…
Accepted
Space Domain Awareness capabilities are rightly recognised by Government and stakeholders as being critical to safely operating in an increasingly contested and congested space environment. A cross-Government SDA strategy should be produced and implemented as soon as possible: the Department should confirm in its response to this report that work …
Read more
Space Domain Awareness capabilities are rightly recognised by Government and stakeholders as being critical to safely operating in an increasingly contested and congested space environment. A cross-Government SDA strategy should be produced and implemented as soon as possible: the Department should confirm in its response to this report that work on this is already underway and should give a target date for its publication. A cross-Government SDA strategy should be produced and implemented as soon as possible: the Department should confirm in its response to this report that work on this is already underway and should give a target date for its publication.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government states it is investing £85 million over ten years in SDA and is working to generate cross-government SDA requirements. They are working to understand options for infrastructure investment in Overseas Territories and will publish capability goals for space capabilities in early 2023.
Read full response →
Ministry of Defence
9
Recommendation
Third Report - Defence Space: through a…
Accepted
Considered and strategic investment in the UK’s SDA capabilities offers an opportunity to improve the UK’s standing and contribution to Allied defence space efforts. The Department should set out how it will ensure that the Defence Space Strategy’s promised investment in Space Domain Awareness maximises the advantages offered by the …
Read more
Considered and strategic investment in the UK’s SDA capabilities offers an opportunity to improve the UK’s standing and contribution to Allied defence space efforts. The Department should set out how it will ensure that the Defence Space Strategy’s promised investment in Space Domain Awareness maximises the advantages offered by the UK’s existing pockets of expertise and the location of its Overseas Territories. (Paragraph 73) Position, Navigation and Timing
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government states it is investing £85 million over ten years in SDA and is working to generate cross-government SDA requirements. They are working to understand options for infrastructure investment in Overseas Territories and will publish capability goals for space capabilities in early 2023.
Read full response →
Ministry of Defence
10
Conclusion
Third Report - Defence Space: through a…
Accepted
The events surrounding the UK’s expulsion from the EU’s Galileo programme were deeply unsatisfactory and demonstrated a failure of statecraft on all sides. The European Commission’s decision was deeply regrettable given the extensive contribution, including financing of £1.2 billion, that the UK had made to the Galileo programme since its …
Read more
The events surrounding the UK’s expulsion from the EU’s Galileo programme were deeply unsatisfactory and demonstrated a failure of statecraft on all sides. The European Commission’s decision was deeply regrettable given the extensive contribution, including financing of £1.2 billion, that the UK had made to the Galileo programme since its inception.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the committee's frustrations regarding the EU's decision on Galileo and states that Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) remains a priority, noting current projects and investments to enhance PNT resilience.
Read full response →
Ministry of Defence
11
Recommendation
Third Report - Defence Space: through a…
Accepted
Against this backdrop of political failure, it is simply unacceptable that almost four years on, and with tens of millions of pounds spent, the Government appears no closer to coming to any conclusions about development of the UK’s own space- based Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) capabilities. Most recently the …
Read more
Against this backdrop of political failure, it is simply unacceptable that almost four years on, and with tens of millions of pounds spent, the Government appears no closer to coming to any conclusions about development of the UK’s own space- based Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) capabilities. Most recently the Space Based Position, Navigation and Timing Programme (SBPP), led by the UK Space Agency, seems to have disappeared without a trace. Given the vital need for a 38 Defence Space: through adversity to the stars? resilient PNT network both for Defence and for other aspects of Critical National Infrastructure we are deeply concerned by the complacent attitude towards PNT within Government, and by the seemingly low priority which the MoD attaches to this work. Government must publish the conclusions of the SBPP and should set out a clear timetable for producing and taking forward the UK’s PNT strategy in its response to this report. (Paragraph 84) Sovereignty and collaboration
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges frustrations with the EU decision on Galileo. They have created a PNT project team to take forward the cross-Government PNT agenda and are investing in projects including RGNS and AltNav to enhance PNT resilience.
Read full response →
Ministry of Defence
12
Conclusion
Third Report - Defence Space: through a…
Acknowledged
The Ministry of Defence will have to carefully balance competing priorities in determining which defence space capabilities must be “owned” by Government and which can be provided by collaboration with Allies or through a commercial contract. Russia’s recent impounding of OneWeb satellites at the Baikonur cosmodrome demonstrates the potential dangers …
Read more
The Ministry of Defence will have to carefully balance competing priorities in determining which defence space capabilities must be “owned” by Government and which can be provided by collaboration with Allies or through a commercial contract. Russia’s recent impounding of OneWeb satellites at the Baikonur cosmodrome demonstrates the potential dangers of making the wrong call, and the subsequently announced proposed merger of the OneWeb with Eutelsat has raised further questions concerning sovereignty and national security. The planned merger between OneWeb and Eutelsat must be subject to the most stringent scrutiny under the National Security and Investment Act. More broadly, it is critical that decisions affecting the sovereignty of the UK’s defence space capabilities are made transparently. The MoD should confirm in its response to this report how it plans to make details of these decisions available for scrutiny by Parliament. (Paragraph 102) The UK’s Defence Space Capabilities: Opportunity and Challenge
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government states that it will continue to identify the UK-based industrial capabilities the MOD requires in order to deliver and sustain military capability and conduct military operations as we choose without reliance on other nations, and to protect the sensitive technologies that underpin those …
Read full response →
Ministry of Defence
13
Recommendation
Third Report - Defence Space: through a…
Accepted in Part
The investment in new space capabilities set out in the Defence Space Strategy, and the procurement of the next generation of Skynet communications satellites, will provide a clear opportunity for the MoD to make a positive long-term impact on the sustainability and productivity of the UK’s space industry. The Department …
Read more
The investment in new space capabilities set out in the Defence Space Strategy, and the procurement of the next generation of Skynet communications satellites, will provide a clear opportunity for the MoD to make a positive long-term impact on the sustainability and productivity of the UK’s space industry. The Department should explain in its response to this report how it will ensure that its investment in the sector maximises benefits to the UK by growing and sustaining a skilled workforce, attracting investment, rewarding innovation, providing meaningful engagement with SMEs and adding social value. The Department should also provide an update on Skynet 6, including expected contract award dates for the Service Delivery Wrap and Enduring Capability strands of the programme.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government commits to investing £1.5 billion over ten years in new technologies and around £5 billion to enhance satellite communication capabilities. The Skynet programme is underway with delivery workstreams, contract competed for Service Delivery Wrap (SDW) to enable MOD to rebuild a cadre of …
Read full response →
Ministry of Defence
14
Conclusion
Third Report - Defence Space: through a…
Accepted
In order to meet the challenges posed by the rapid pace of technological advancement in the space domain, the MoD will need to take every opportunity to learn from the experiences of Allies. The pioneering approach taken by the US Space Development Agency will be of particular relevance.
Read more
In order to meet the challenges posed by the rapid pace of technological advancement in the space domain, the MoD will need to take every opportunity to learn from the experiences of Allies. The pioneering approach taken by the US Space Development Agency will be of particular relevance.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The MOD is committed to international collaboration, sharing knowledge and experience with Five Eyes partners and other nations. UK Space Command collaborates closely with bilateral partners, in particular the US, with liaison officers and exchange officers embedded within US Space Command.
Read full response →
Ministry of Defence
15
Conclusion
Third Report - Defence Space: through a…
Acknowledged
Space acquisitions require an innovative and flexible approach to procurement, but the MoD will need to balance this against ensuring value for money for the taxpayer. This will not be an easy task, and the Department’s endemic failure to robustly manage major projects does not inspire confidence that they will …
Read more
Space acquisitions require an innovative and flexible approach to procurement, but the MoD will need to balance this against ensuring value for money for the taxpayer. This will not be an easy task, and the Department’s endemic failure to robustly manage major projects does not inspire confidence that they will be able to meet this challenge. The Department must meet its commitment to set out clear milestones for the significant infrastructure projects announced in the Defence Space Strategy by the end of this financial year. Timescales should also be included, and progress should be reported every six months. We will write to the Comptroller and Auditor General asking him to increase his oversight of these new projects to provide Defence Space: through adversity to the stars? 39 additional assurance and we intend to scrutinise their progress closely. In this emerging domain the Ministry of Defence has a real opportunity to learn from its past failings: history must not be repeated. The Department must meet its commitment to set out clear milestones for the significant infrastructure projects announced in the Defence Space Strategy by the end of this financial year. Timescales should also be included, and progress should be reported every six months. (Paragraph 122) 40 Defence Space: through adversity to the stars?
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government is exploring ways to enable greater agility and iterative delivery of capability, and the Defence Space Portfolio will be able to take advantage of this approach. UK Space Command recently published a Capability Management Plan, which gives an indication of milestones, and the …
Read full response →
Ministry of Defence