UK government launches ยฃ7.8 billion space strategy
The government has announced a UK Space Strategy covering defence, satellite communications, research, launches and regulatory reform.
A single government space plan
The UK government has launched a new space strategy backed by ยฃ7.8 billion until 2030, bringing its space investment and activity under one plan covering growth, defence, national security and technologies used in daily life.
GOV.UK says the strategy will support the design of a resilient, integrated national satellite communications system. It formally replaces the National Space Strategy published in 2021 and sets four priority subsectors: satellite communications; in-orbit servicing, assembly and manufacturing; space domain awareness; and assured access to space.
The government also announced that it will take a single approach to buying and developing space technology for the first time, beginning with satellite communications.
Defence, monitoring and connectivity
The strategy assigns ยฃ149 million to the European Space Agencyโs Vigil mission and ยฃ85 million to the National Space Operations Centre. GOV.UK says these projects support monitoring of satellites, rockets and debris and will provide earlier warnings of possible satellite collisions, hostile activity and solar storms.
A further ยฃ880 million will fund space control and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, including technologies intended to track military activity on the ground and potential attacks on satellites.
The government says ยฃ2.8 billion will strengthen connectivity through programmes including Connectivity in Low Earth Orbit and SKYNET defence communications. It says advanced satellite communications will also support faster and more reliable rural connectivity and reduce mobile signal dropouts on trains.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said more than ยฃ3 billion, backed by the Defence Investment Plan, was being invested in defence capabilities in space.
Technology, launches and research
The package includes ยฃ40 million for in-orbit servicing, assembly and manufacturing technologies designed to repair and maintain satellites and help clear dangerous objects from orbit.
The government also announced ยฃ148 million for European rocket programmes and ยฃ30 million for SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland. Space science and exploration missions will receive ยฃ163 million, including delivery of the UK-built Rosalind Franklin Mars Rover.
Other funding comprises ยฃ57 million from the Department for Transport for rail connectivity, ยฃ190 million from UK Research and Innovation for astronomy and space science research, and ยฃ9 million from the Met Office for space weather forecasting.
Regulatory measures
The government announced a variable-liability-limits approach for orbital operations and plans to waive operator liability for in-orbit servicing, assembly and manufacturing missions and lunar missions launched before the end of 2030.
Key takeaways
- The government says the UK Space Strategy brings its investment and activity under one plan backed by ยฃ7.8 billion until 2030.
- The announced funding includes ยฃ2.8 billion for connectivity and ยฃ880 million for space control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
- The strategy replaces the National Space Strategy published in 2021 and introduces a single government approach to buying and developing space technology.
- The government also announced regulatory measures covering operator liability, insurance and the financial monitoring of constellation operators.
FAQ
How much funding backs the new strategy?
GOV.UK says the UK Space Strategy is backed by a record ยฃ7.8 billion until 2030.
What defence and security projects are included?
The announcement includes ยฃ880 million for space control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, ยฃ149 million for the European Space Agencyโs Vigil mission and ยฃ85 million for the National Space Operations Centre.
What connectivity funding was announced?
The government says ยฃ2.8 billion will support connectivity, including the Connectivity in Low Earth Orbit and SKYNET defence communications programmes. A further ยฃ57 million from the Department for Transport will support improved rail connectivity.
What regulatory changes were announced?
The measures include variable liability limits for orbital operations, waived operator liability for qualifying innovative missions launched before the end of 2030, new third-party liability insurance models and the abolition of decommissioning funds for constellation operators.