UK Space Agency

Memorandum submitted by Professor Richard Holdaway on behalf of the RAL Space Department (UKSA 16)

RAL’s Space Science & Technology Department is the largest Space Department in the UK, involved in a wide range of programmes in Space Science & Earth Observation both nationally and internationally.

We reaffirm the support we gave in our testimony to the October 2009 Select Committee for the setting up of a UK Space Agency. The primary requirements for an effective UKSA as seen currently by RAL are exactly as they were in 10/09, viz:

a) A single unified strategy to deliver full benefit to the UK economy and to society from government investment in space.

b) A more joined-up strategy agreed between the partners originally participating in the former BNSC.

c) A clearly defined and open governance structure and process which reports directly into Cabinet through the Minister or Secretary of State.

d) Strong proactive leadership.

e) A budget which enables UK industry and academia to deliver the benefits to UK economy and society.

f) Better outreach to the major stakeholders, including the public, to publicise the many benefits of the UK space programme.

More specifically, and in response to the five questions posed by the Select Committee:

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

· Progress has been slower than anticipated, which is understandable given the hiatus during the general election held in May.

· Staffing levels within UKSA are probably too low to deal with all the major issues currently requiring attention.

· UKSA (and BIS) have been strongly supportive of the International Space Innovation Centre at Harwell, a major initiative led by STFC to bring together industry and academia to develop new technologies for the space programme. The partnership already in place between STFC, NERC, NCEO, Industry and ESA is already showing signs of increased economic benefit.

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

· UKSA must work proactively with all the traditional major space agencies such as ESA, NASA, JAXA and ROSCOSMOS

· UKSA should also work closely with the smaller (eg Canadian and other European) agencies, and those of the rapidly emerging space nations such as China, India, and Brazil. UKSA should consider a specific funding line for bilateral missions with these countries.

· The Space Leadership Council needs to be very focussed and clear in its remit. Its current membership is probably too large to be effective. It is also not clear if it sets policy and strategy or simply advises.

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

· Too early to tell in practice, but the principle behind the setting up of UKSA should enable a much more coordinated approach.

· UKSA should be constituted so that it can represent the space community independent from government – ie with the ability to lobby. It is not clear that this is currently the case. UKSA should determine and set the strategy for space, within the funds available.

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

· Becoming a major player on the political agenda for space, working at the top-table alongside ESA, NASA, Japan, China, India, France, Germany and Italy.

· Developing a fully-funded National programme, at a level comparable to other leading ESA member states.

· Making a clear decision on the strategy for collaboration with China and India.

· Continue to support the development of hardware (instruments) for space missions, led where appropriate by UK PI’s and/or Co-I’s.

· Given the importance of the Earth Observation programmes to major societal issues such as disaster monitoring, climate change and weather forecasting, there should be reinstatement of a fully-funded programme of space instrumentation for EO missions. The UK used to be a world-leader in this field but in recent years funding in this area has fallen significantly to the detriment of the UK.

5. Is the UK Space Agency adequately funded?

· With the current CSR round being considered, it is fully understood that funding UKSA is going to be under severe scrutiny. However, it should be recognised more than ever that space is part of the solution, not a part of the problem, to the current economic downturn. It is therefore essential that sufficient funds are found for the National Programme mentioned above.

· Within the current budget it is important to ensure that sufficient funds are available to exploit the science that is returned from missions that are funded and launched. This has not always been the case in the past.

Response by Prof Richard Holdaway FREng

Director Space Science & Technology, STFC-RAL

(on behalf of the RAL Space Department)

August 2010