Source · Select Committees · Defence Committee
Third Report - Defence Space: through adversity to the stars?
Defence Committee
HC 182
Published 19 October 2022
Recommendations
6
Accepted
Space literacy must also be embedded across Defence if multi-domain integration is to succeed.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response 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.
Ministry of Defence
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8
Accepted
Para 72
Space Domain Awareness capabilities are rightly recognised by Government and stakeholders as being critical to...
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response 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.
Ministry of Defence
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9
Accepted
Considered and strategic investment in the UK’s SDA capabilities offers an opportunity to improve the...
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response 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.
Ministry of Defence
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11
Accepted
Against this backdrop of political failure, it is simply unacceptable that almost four years on,...
Recommendation
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- …
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Government Response 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.
Ministry of Defence
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Conclusions (4)
4
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 43
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 …
Government Response 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 Technology Laboratory (Dstl) . Defence participates in a regular forum that exists for officials to coordinate and progress delivery of this ambition across government.
5
Conclusion
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 …
Government Response 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 integrated across all Defence entry-level training next year. UK Space Command is now refining the UK Space Academy training requirements prior to engaging openly for potential partnering opportunities.
10
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 83
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 …
Government Response 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.
14
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 116
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.
Government Response 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.