Memorandum 96
Supplementary submission from the British
National Space Centre (BNSC)
CURRENT NEGOTIATIONS WITH THIRD COUNTRIES
1. The Committee requested a note on current
negotiations with third countries.
2. The object of BNSC's high level engagements,
on behalf of the UK, is to assist UK companies and scientists
to develop cooperation, in support of science and policy objectives.
Many BNSC partners have also developed regular bilateral contacts,
and these are not covered in this note, because they are normally
not space specific.
3. Space is essentially an international
and global activity. BNSC depends on the advice and reporting
it receives from the FCO staff in the Science and Innovation Network
based in all the main space faring countries. On the export side,
BNSC works with UK Trade and Investment and the commercial staff
in Posts worldwide to develop new markets and opportunities. BNSC
is grateful for the help it receives from our Embassies, Consulates,
and other Posts.
4. BNSC and its partners have contact with
many countries. Those currently active for BNSC are listed below.
CHINA
5. With strong support from industry, BNSC
and the China National Space Administration (CNSA) agreed a framework
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which was signed by Lord Sainsbury
and CNSA Administrator in January 2005. Officials met later in
that year to develop specific actions and held a space technology
workshop March 2006 in China. A coordinated approach through BNSC
involving all partners including industry and academia has been
pursued.
6. The UK-China Space Science & Technology
Working Group met in the UK in November 2006. Experts discussed
possible science and technology cooperation and possible exchanges
of staff and students. The next UK-China Working Group Meeting
is planned for March in Shanghai. A visit by CNSA Administrator
in December 2006 was postponed at their request but is expected
to be reinstated. RCUK has now agreed to open an office in China
and BNSC will work with this office as well as the Embassy in
the future.
INDIA
7. BNSC and the India Space Research Organisation
(ISRO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 1997. The Joint
Prime Ministerial Declaration signed in September 2004 agreed
to expand co-operation in civil space programmes. The British
High Commission held a workshop with ISRO on 28-30 March 2006
in Ahmedabad on Earth Observation for Weather and Climate. This
followed a similar workshop in 2004. A BNSC official will speak
at a conference hosted by ISRO in New Delhi in March and we will
look to a fuller meeting with ISRO thereafter. BNSC will attend
the International Astronautical Federation conference in Hyderabad
in September. We are actively engaged with the Post in supporting
a specific industry initiative in India.
TURKEY
8. Professor Yetis, the Acting President
of Tubitak (the Turkish Office of Science and technology) visited
the UK in March at the invitation of Lord Sainsbury and proposed
a bi-lateral workshop in Turkey to identify opportunities for
collaboration in space technologies and more widely. This was
held in Turkey in November 2006 to bring together interested parties
to exchange ideas and to ultimately look at areas of collaboration
in space technologies and showcase UK capabilities. The Minister
has asked BNSC to enter into discussions regarding a Memorandum
of Understanding.
KOREA
9. With strong support from industry and
academia, the Office of Science and Innovation (OSI) and the Korean
Ministry of Science & Technology (MOST) agreed a framework
MOU which was signed by Lord Sainsbury and MOST in October 2002.
Officials met later in the year to develop specific actions and
have held a series of space science and technology workshops during
the period 2003-06 in both the UK and in Korea. A coordinated
approach through BNSC, led by RAL and involving all partners including
industry and academia has been pursued.
UNITED STATES
10. BNSC has no general agreement with the
USA, but interacts with counterparts in a number of agencies and
fora. These cover Science, Earth Applications and international
bodies such a the International Disaster Charter. The BNSC Director
General met the NASA Administrator, Dr Michael Griffin on 18 July
2006 and it was agreed to develop closer contact. Malcolm Wicks
met Dr Griffin on 30 November and discussed a possible UK role
in the development of a Global Exploration Strategy.
ALGERIA
11. With strong support from industry, Lord
Sainsbury on behalf of BNSC and the Algerian Space Agency (ASAL)
signed a framework MOU on 19 July 2006 to develop cooperation
in civil space. This will be followed by a meeting at official
level.
RUSSIA
12. The UK signed a civil space co-operation
agreement with the USSR in 1987. This was taken over by Russia
and is still in force. There is also a science and technology
agreement which covers space. BNSC is currently looking at these
arrangements, and in particular whether the agreements can enable
lower cost access to launchers.
JAPAN
13. BNSC and the Japanese space agency (then
NASDA, now JAXA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding in April
1997 on Earth observation. Discussions were held with JAXA in
July 2006 to consider further bilateral cooperation. BNSC and
the British Embassy are working to arrange a space technology
workshop to take place in May. Existing UK links with JAXA on
various missions include most recently on an observational satellite
with three advanced solar telescopes (Hinode). The British Embassy
in Tokyo will organise an aerospace event in May with space as
one of the four parallel sessions.
BRAZIL
14. 2007 is the UK-Brazil Year of Science
& Innovation. A series of events in being planned with Brazil
during 2007, including one on Space Science & Technology in
November.
ARGENTINA
15. BNSC signed a Memorandum of Understanding
with the Argentinian Space Agency, CONAE, in October 1998. At
a recent international Plenary meeting on Earth Observation (CEOS)
held in Buenos Aires in November there was an opportunity for
a short interaction between BNSC and CONAE and a briefing with
Embassy staff.
MULTILATERAL
16. These bilateral links are in the context
of the main focus of the UK's civil space cooperation through
the European Space Agency (ESA) and EUMETSAT (the European Organisation
for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites). ESA and EUMETSAT
have contacts with many space faring nations and develop programmes
in which British scientists and companies participate (primarily
ESA) and co-ordinate involvement in meteorological and related
programmes (EUMETSAT). BNSC also engages with the European Commission.
17. BNSC and its partners also work with
many countries in a number of multilateral fora, including the
UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS: over
60 countries), the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee
(11) and discussions on a Global Exploration Strategy (14).
January 2007
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