New space agency launched

The new agency, which the government said would be "bureaucracy busting", will replace the British National Space Centre, and bring together for the first time the six government departments, two research councils, the Technology Strategy Board and the Met Office that currently oversee the organisation of UK space activities to enhance efficiencies. The idea is to accelerate growth and jobs in the UK's space industry. The UK space and satellite sector has grown by around 9 per cent a year since 1999/00 – more than three times faster than the economy as a whole. It currently contributes £6.5 billion a year to the UK economy and supports 68,000 jobs. The UK is also currently second in the world only to the USA in space science. Lord Drayson said the new agency would allow the UK to take advantage of the opportunities offered by a world increasingly dependent on advances in space innovations and science. It would safeguard the nation's critical mass of skills and expertise and bring together a range of budgets into one place improving strategic decision making. Lord Drayson said: "Our space sector hasn't missed a beat during this recession. This is the classic story of outstanding UK science and entrepreneurship continuing to create jobs and achieve exceptional growth. "The new space agency is about making sure that the UK fully exploits its competitive advantage in satellites, robotics and related technologies." The announcement comes following a public consultation on how to fund and organise the civil space sector, so that it meets the challenges of the future and delivers the greatest benefit to the country. As well as maximising the role of space technologies in driving economic growth in high tech, high skilled services, the new agency's responsibilities would include strengthening the UK's relationship with the European Space Agency, agreeing with UK industry how to maximise the benefits of space technologies and working with the scientific community to provide a clear voice on decisions that affect the sector.