The UK Space Agency - Science and Technology Committee Contents


Memorandum submitted by the Technology Strategy Board (UKSA 20)

INTRODUCTION

  1.  The Technology Strategy Board is a business-led executive non-departmental public body, established by the Government. Its mission is to promote and support research into, and development and exploitation of, technology and innovation for the benefit of UK business, in order to increase economic growth and improve the quality of life.

2.  The Technology Strategy Board became a partner in the British National Space Centre (BNSC) in January 2009 and took on responsibility for UK European Space Agency (ESA) satellite telecommunications and satellite navigation R &D programmes and other aspects of innovation in UK civil space activity.

3.  The UK Space industry has provided very positive feedback about the strong relationships established by the Technology Strategy Board and has welcomed the approach taken by the Technology Strategy Board to drive new innovative R & D activity.

  4.  The Technology Strategy Board has welcomed the creation of the Space Agency and in particular its remit to provide a strong lead on policy, public funding and the political processes in UK and Europe. The Technology Strategy Board has indicated its willingness to play a supporting or advisory role in these matters where appropriate.

  5.  The Technology Strategy Board has an ongoing role working as a delivery partner for the Space Agency in leading activity related to innovation in Space and the economic growth opportunities identified in the Space Innovation and Growth Strategy. The Technology Strategy Board has an important role to play here in engaging the Space industry and UK Space capability in addressing broader challenges and growth opportunities across a wide range of emerging markets.

What progress has been made in setting up the UK Space Agency?

  6.  The Technology Strategy Board has actively supported the process of establishing the UK Space Agency with senior staff participating in informal working groups and formal governance structures. The TSB Chief Executive is a member of the Space Leadership Council and UK Space Board, the TSB Head of Special Projects is a member on the UK Space Agency Operating Board and ISIC Establishment Board, the TSB Director of Knowledge Exchange and Special Projects attends the UK Space Agency Directors meeting.

7.  A Service Level Agreement is being developed between the Technology Strategy Board and the UK Space Agency, the TSB role is likely to defined as follows:

    Continue to provide technical management of satellite telecoms, navigation and integrated applications as a delivery partner to the Agency.

    Continue to promote business opportunities for the UK Space industry across all Technology Strategy Board priority areas (Digital, Energy, Low Carbon, Life Sciences). In particular support innovation in space technology and applications that leads to new commercial exploitation opportunities.

    Facilitate a robust and independent technology road mapping process (through the Space KTN Special Interest Group), to support the development of the National Space Technology Strategy with buy in across the Space industry and linkages to new application markets.

    Help establish a culture of `open innovation' at the Harwell International Space Innovation Centre through a programme of collaborative R & D competitions and the provision of an `in orbit test bed' for new technology.

    Work in partnership with the Space Agency to ensure the Space industry plays a greater role in SBRI competitions.

  8.  All UK ESA budgets for Satellite Telecommunications and Navigation will be transferred from the Technology Strategy Board to the UK Space Agency in April 2011, reversing the arrangements in the Tasking Letter from DIUS to Technology Strategy Board in April 2009.

How does the UK Space Agency work with other bodies (national and international) on space issues?

  9.  The approach taken during the 18 months of Technology Strategy Board involvement in Space is summarised below:

    (a) Follow principles of our "Connect and Catalyse" strategy with a focus on:

    — Commercial exploitation of space technology.

    — Making Space technology part of the solution to societal challenges.

    — Enabling the space industry to exploit new markets.

    — Understanding customer needs, what can space technology/applications do for the general public?

    (b) Get good value out of the UK ESA subscriptions:

    — High quality submissions from UK industry into ESA programmes with a focus on innovation.

    — Actively manage the portfolio, mix of large and small companies, mix of technology areas and target markets.

    — Improve visibility of ESA financial position and UK commitments.

    (c) Make connections across the Technology Strategy Board:

    — To Innovation Platforms and Applications Areas,

    (d) Encourage Space industry to use Technology Strategy Board mechanisms:

    — Collaborative R&D competitions, KTN, KTP, SBRI.

    (e) Bring a new perspective to existing public/private governance structures:

    — BNSC Operating Board and UK Space Board, BIS Aerospace, Marine & Defence team, UK Space Trade Association.

    (f) Get involved in shaping the future:

    — Space Innovation and Growth Team, Harwell International Space Innovation Centre.

    (g) Work with partners:

    — Government departments (eg DfT, Cabinet Office).

    — Research Councils (eg STFC, NERC), Regional Development Agencies, Devolved Administrations, European Union.

  10.  The Technology Strategy Board has established strong links with ESA in satellite telecommunications and satellite navigation. In addition new partnerships have been established with the ESA Harwell Centre including collaboration with the ESA Business Incubator and the establishment of a UK office for the ESA Integrated Application Promotion.

  11.  The Technology Strategy Board has created a Space Special Interest Group (SIG) as a pilot that will aim to connect the spectrum of space related activities across the Space Innovation and Growth Strategy (IGS) and existing Knowledge Transfers Networks (KTNs) as a way of fostering a Space community that spans Government, Industry and Academia. As a result of the recommendations in the Space IGS the Space SIG will be coordinating the delivery of Technology Roadmaps to underpin a National Space Technology Strategy.

  12.  As part of an internal awareness raising process, the Technology Strategy Board's Governing Board held its May meeting at the offices of Surrey Satellite Technology Limited in Guildford and members of the board were able to learn more about the innovative approach to space being pioneered by SSTL.

Is the UK Space Agency more effective at coordinating space policy than its predecessor, the British National Space Centre?

  13.  The UK Space Agency was launched on 1 April 2010 and it is too early to reach a conclusion on its effectiveness compared to BNSC. Much of the Agency's activity has been focused on the legal, administrative and financial arrangements necessary for it to become fully operational in April 2011.

14.  The Agency is working hard to build on the momentum created last year by the joint Government, industry and academia Innovation and Growth Team.

What should the UK Space Agency's priorities be for the next five years?

  15.  The Technology Strategy Board has encouraged the UK Space Agency to build stronger connections with industry to enable the ambitious growth targets in the Space Innovation and Growth Strategy to be delivered.

16.  The Technology Strategy Board should be responsible for delivering the innovation and knowledge transfer elements of the National Space Policy and should be a key partner for the Agency in supporting wealth creation through new applications of space technology outside the traditional space sector.

Is the UK Space Agency adequately funded?

  17.  The UK Space Agency is involved in the Spending Review process and needs to make the case for any funding on the basis of return on investment and alignment with Government policy.

18.  The opportunity for the Space industry to be a driver of economic growth is clearly identified in the Space Innovation and Growth Strategy and funding decisions should be made within the framework of the recommendations of this report. Recommendation 15 notes that achievement the ambitious growth targets will require increased investment from industry, financial institutions and the public sector.

  19.  A key challenge for the UK Space Agency is to balance the strategic need for the UK to play a leading role in ESA and international programmes against the benefits of more targeted UK activity which may have a more direct economic impact and quicker return on investment.

Prepared by:

Michael Lawrence

Head of Special Projects

Technology Strategy Board

Approved by:

Iain Gray

Chief Executive

Technology strategy Board

August 2010





 
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Prepared 22 November 2010