Does space matter?
12. In his foreword to the consultation on the UK's
space strategy, the Minister for Science and Innovation states
that "Space matters. Year by year, it forms an ever greater
part of everyone's life."[7]
Space is becoming an increasingly important sector for the UK.
Satellites are able to aid navigation, supply data about the Earth
and its climate, deliver mobile communications and broadcasting,
and provide vital information for disaster relief and humanitarian
aid. The exploration of space is increasingly able to answer questions
not only about other planets but also about the Earth. Technologies
that have been developed initially for use in space have been
applied in other sectors such as security, healthcare or defence.
When one answers the phone, watches the television, uses GPS in
the car, makes a financial transaction, or searches for a map
on the internet, one might be benefiting from space. Looking ahead,
space may be used to provide remote healthcare, to warn of natural
disasters, or even as a holiday destination. Space is also seen
to be inspirational, a point we will return to later on.
13. During this inquiry, we have been aware that
the evidence that we have received has been self-selective and
that we have heard from people who have tended to take the importance
of space for granted. We are conscious that some critics will
argue that space is high risk and costly. There are numerous examples
of projects that have not gone to plan. Cryosat, the satellite
that was intended to monitor sea ice thickness, crashed shortly
after its launch in October 2005. In 2003, scientists lost contact
with the Beagle 2 Lander on the Martian surface. The Apollo 1
and Challenger disasters are also stark warnings of loss of human
life as well as significant financial resources. In June 2005,
the BBC asked the general public their views on human exploration
to the Moon or Mars. Approximately 20,000 votes were cast. Of
these 20,000 votes, 3370 people added written comments, with 61%
of these comments in favour of human exploration and 26% against.
Of the 26% that were opposed, "the commonest reason given
was that resources should be better spent tackling more immediate
problems like poverty in Africa, the funding of the NHS etc."[8]
14. In fact, the Government currently spends only
£207.61 million (0.038% of its overall budget) on space,
for which the political rewards are myriad, both for UK subjects
and for the wider world.[9]
There is much to learn from the exploration of space. We believe
that space is a highly significant area of science policy. As
other countries continue to exploit and explore space, it is crucial
that the UK is also involved in this sector and it is necessary
for the Government to take a more strategic approach to space.
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