UK Space Agency

Memorandum submitted by the

Science and Technology Facilities Council (UKSA 13)

BACKGROUND

1. The Science and Technology Facilities Council is an independent, non-departmental public body of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and is one of the UK’s seven Research Councils1. STFC makes it possible for a broad range of scientists to do the highest quality research tackling some of the most fundamental scientific questions.

2. Both STFC and NERC are significant contributors to the UK Space Agency and were major partners in the predecessor British National Space Centre (BNSC). Given the complexity of these engagements and the short time available, the two councils are supplying separate submissions to this enquiry.2 Reasonable efforts have been made to co-ordinate the two responses.

3. This submission does not include or necessarily reflect the views of the Science and Research Group in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

· There is a detailed overarching Service Level Agreement (SLA) between STFC and the UK Space Agency which outlines the core principles of the arrangements for the delivery of the UK Space Science and Space Exploration Programme through FY 2010/11. The SLA foresees formalising an arrangement for future years, once the Agency is a legal entity in its own right with its own budget.

· The SLA covers provision that maintain existing requirements and agreements, including interactions with international treaty organisations such as the European Space Agency (ESA).

· The SLA also makes detailed provision for staffing, communications and other management arrangements, through a mix of STFC staff working on full time detachment to the UK Space Agency and those STFC staff for whom part of their work is in support of common interests with the Agency.

· Agreement and specific policies are in place (or in advanced development) to maintain and protect peer review processes with regard to research and training awards, some of which require new ways of working to ensure the interests of STFC and the Agency are taken into account.

· The creation of the Agency has been welcomed by STFC1.

· The UK Space Science and Space Exploration Programme has been an important part of the UK’s overall strength in the discipline and will be a vital component in the Agency’s success. The Agency is managing the programme appropriately and in line with the requirements of the SLA.

INTRODUCTION

4. STFC’s responsibility for Astronomy, Space Science and Space Exploration has meant significant engagement with the science and research communities involved in research, technology and applications in space science for many years. Upon its creation in 2007, STFC integrated these capabilities from its predecessor councils, PPARC3 and CCLRC4.

5. STFC has always been a prominent member of the British National Space Centre (BNSC), a partnership established in 1985, which as of April 2010 comprised six Government Departments, two Research Councils, the Technology Strategy Board and the Met Office5. In recent years, a number of STFC staff worked on shared appointments or worked on space programmes linked to BNSC activities. STFC paid the major share of the UK’s subscription to ESA in addition to supporting our national science programme in space science and exploration.

6. The STFC’s Space Science and Space Exploration Programme is a central plank of its overall science programme6. The nature of research in particle physics and astronomy means numerous aspects of the work we fund, support and promote – from acquiring data from space-based telescopes to understanding the interaction of exotic particles with materials – have direct and indirect connections. In addition, activity in space is often necessarily cross-border and collaborative in nature, on many occasions due to the sheer scale of the projects. This requires successfully nurturing long term relationships with individuals and research groups as well as international agencies. The interrelationships are manifold.

7. An important aspect of STFC’s remit to highlight is its role as custodian of the UK’s two Science and Innovation Campuses. The Harwell Science and Innovation Campus (HSIC) has been home to ESA’s UK Centre since July 20097 and investment in a new Earth Observation Hub, Security and Resilience Unit, and Visualisation Unit in July 2010 marked a major step towards the realisation of the International Space Innovation Centre (ISIC) at the Campus8. Facilities and expertise at the STFC Space Science and Technology Department at RAL and the UK Astronomy Technology Centre in Edinburgh bring much of the technical and project management experience needed to ensure these and other plans for UK space thrive and constitute a major part of the UK’s world leading capabilities.

8. The transition to the new Agency is welcomed given its potential for improved leadership in international collaborations and the potential to improve long term strategic decision making and international visibility. The Agency has the potential to drive the momentum already generated at centres such as HSIC. During and beyond the transition period, STFC’s primary goal is for the Agency to fulfil its science and associated programmes and to ensure good value for money for the resources it invests on STFC’s behalf.

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

9. The progress towards establishing an Agency has two primary practical requirements for STFC:

· Ensuring the existing and future STFC science programme is correctly supported under the new working arrangements, including engagement with ESA

· Smooth transition with regard to responsibilities, procedures, staffing and financing

To this end a Service Level Agreement between STFC and the Agency was agreed effective 1 April 20109, setting out a framework by which the STFC’s interests in the UK Space Science and Space Exploration Programme will be managed in 2010/11. The SLA foresees the establishment of an on-going agreement with STFC, once the Agency is a legal entity in its own right, and has its own budget.

10. With regard to the SLA’s intended purpose, the following terms are in place until such time (2011/12) when the Agency has its own funds, when it will be accountable to itself and delivering its own programme:

1.1 The UKSA will be responsible for the management and delivery of the programme, but the CEO STFC will remain accountable for it and for associated funds with regard to BIS

1.5 The intention is that a specific STFC space programme team will be created within the UK Space Agency, resourced and staffed through support from STFC and under the direct management of the Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency

and:

4.1 The UK Space Agency will:

· manage and coordinate the planned and approved Programme, including the development of required technologies;

· manage and oversee the ESA subscription, with respect to both the mandatory and optimal programmes

· manage and coordinate communications of the STFC Programme related to space science and coordination

· lead development and implementation of an education and skills strategy for the UK space programme

4.3 Monitoring of the overall delivery by the UK Space Agency of the Programme shall be via regular reports to the Director Science Programme Office (SPO), STFC. The format of these reports will be in accordance with the accepted practice by STFC SPO.

11. The SLA also makes specific provisions with regard to Programme Modifications10; Budget; Limit of Liability; Staff; Travel and Subsistence; Virement; and Payment and Accounting. The SLA includes a detailed Appendix on staffing and resources for the transition period. Where relevant, short progress reports are provided below:

Management of International Subscriptions (such as ESA)

STFC has ensured that the ESA subscription has been paid as due. Invoice processing has been done by STFC staff under the auspices of the SLA. No change over previous arrangements in terms of approval to pay or management of exchange rate risk.

National Projects

STFC’s programme of R&D, construction and post-launch support for space missions has been managed by the Agency under the terms of the SLA. Programme management and administrative effort is provided by STFC staff working on detachment to, and managed by the Agency. No problems have been reported. Significant progress has been made in development for the expected UK role in the ESA Cosmic Vision Programme and in support of UK interests in the Aurora ExoMars Programme. The Agency has, on STFC’s behalf, negotiated a withdrawal from some elements of post-launch support, for older but still current space missions. This is in line with the implementation of STFC’s Prioritisation exercise of 200911.

There will be some changes to how STFC / the Agency will peer review space projects from 1 September 2010. Statements of Interest (SOI) should be sent directly to the UK Space Agency.12

The UK Space Agency’s Science Programme Advisory Committee (SPAC) will review the SOI and The Agency will provide feedback to applicants on whether or not a full proposal be invited. STFC Particle Physics Astronomy and Nuclear Physics Science Committee (PPAN) will also provide strategic scientific advice to the Agency.

The STFC Projects Peer Review Panel (PPRP) will continue to peer review full proposals for space projects. The Agency programme managers will provide guidance to applicants on the deadline for the submission of the full proposal to PPRP together with any strategic guidance from the SPAC. PPRP will report to SPAC on the peer review of space projects. STFC PPAN will be informed of the details of the peer review as well as the outcome.

The UK Space Agency will inform applicants directly about any funding decisions.

Research and Exploitation Grants

STFC continues to manage its portfolio of astronomy and space science research grants to UK universities. These grants provide support to enable UK scientists to exploit the science opportunities provided by both ground-based facilities and space missions, along with associated theory and modelling. They also cover investment in generic technologies. An agreement has been reached through which the Agency will participate within the peer review process to ensure that Agency interests are appropriately taken into account during the funding decision making process. This ‘dual key’ mechanism is described in more detail in Appendix 213. The process will be first used when the current round of astronomy and space science grant proposals to STFC are considered in September-November 2010.

International Representation and Treaty Commitments

STFC staff have continued their international representative roles and work in support for Treaty Commitments on detached duty within the Agency. No issues have been identified.

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

12. The STFC and the BNSC collaborated closely with public and private partners and the scientific community operating in the space sector. The STFC looks forward to continuing to strengthen these links alongside the Agency. This will in part be achieved by the transfer of staff to the Agency and also through close joint working, such as through the Dual Key arrangement14. Optimum transparency for, and communication with, the wider community will be vital to the Agency’s success.

13. It is encouraging that international agencies have welcomed the formation of UKSA as a clearer interface to the UK’s space capabilities15.

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

14. It is too early for STFC to provide an assessment.

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

15. STFC’s responsibility is for the Space Science and Space Exploration programme, as ratified as part of the STFC’s overall Science Programme by our scientific community. Delivery of the current STFC space science programme commitments are therefore a significant priority, including but not limited to:

· ensuring the completion of the UK’s contribution to the ESA-NASA JWST space mission, centred around the MIRI instrument;

· supporting post-launch support for ESA’s Herschel and Planck space missions and NASA’s STEREO solar mission;

· pursuing the construction of the first elements of the ESA ExoMars programme and continuing development towards the UK’s role in ESA’s Cosmic Vision programme.

16. In this context, the Agency’s successful provision of the national interface between ESA and other partners (e.g. NASA, JAXA) is required to ensure continuing access for UK scientists to state-of-the-art space science and space exploration missions. This need to assist the UK to deliver world leading research in line with STFC’s strategic science vision is critical.

17. Providing inspirational outreach, supporting underlying technology capabilities and nurturing innovation are thereby all integral supporting priorities.

18. Ensuring and demonstrating economic return on investment from international subscriptions.

Is the UK Space Agency adequately funded?

19. It is not appropriate for the STFC to make an overall assessment.

20. It is noted that the current arrangements rely on shared effort with STFC staff and future plans need to appropriately account for any changes to this arrangement.

21. The STFC notes that the proposed spending projection announced for future years for the Space Science and Exploration Programme at its December 2009 prioritisation16 is the same profile as that expected to transfer to the new Agency. No consideration has been made for changes in terms or scope e.g. during future spending rounds.