industry information > space systems and services > key space policy issues

Paper addresses the public sector, private sector, UK status, Beagle 2, UK in ESA, academia, BNSC, UK's regulatory environment, broadband, defence and security, followed by sections on UKISC's view on ESA, ESA-EU-industry relations, the European market, R&D, broadband, security. The paper finishes with some recommendations for UK government action and UK industry action. The latter are summarised below:

• Provide a clear and simple interface with which Government can interact.
• Create novel and affordable solutions to address Government's policy objectives in environmental monitoring, universal broadband, security, space science, etc.
• Provide a continuing stream of concepts and ideas to assist Government to influence the direction of Europe's space programmes and policies.
• Work closely with Government to define areas where joint investments can lay the ground work for long term delivery of policy objectives.

The BNSC report 'UK Space Technology Strategy 2004 and Beyond' benefited from a significant UKISC contribution. The strategy presented in this report is fully endorsed by UKISC. The technology themes addressed are integrated mission systems, low cost systems, information provision, widening user access, essential technologies, capitalising on unique UK capability. Recommendations in the report are based on achieving the objectives set out in the UK space strategy, exploiting the UK R&D base, an advanced technology demonstrations programme, removing barriers to exploitation of space technology and European collaboration and future initiatives. The following industry success factors are highlighted by UKISC:

• UK technology funding mechanisms and national programme updated to reflect UK Space Strategy and UK Space Technology Strategy.
• Increase in UK IPR and associated investment and exploitation.
• UK established as a preferred supplier of high value adding technologies in European and Global market.
• ESA return improved and consistency achieved in the longer term.
• Increased share of the global commercial market for space products and services.

This paper, following introductory background information on the UK status, STRAND (Satellite Telecommunications for Rural Areas Needing digital Development) and the importance of satellite solutions, presents the UKISC view of the digital divide through a consideration of broadband access, exports, regulatory environment, rapid technology change, digital take-up and demand aggregation. The paper finishes with some recommendations for UK government action and UK industry action.

The value of satellite navigation, both direct and indirect, to the UK economy is already significant. This paper addresses five key policy issues:

• Ensure successful completion of the EGNOS and Galileo infrastructures.
• The UK must take a co-ordinated and cohesive approach to enabling successful exploitation of satellite navigation services.
• UK government, industry and academia must collaborate in the pursuit of research.
• The UK must ensure satellite navigation is underpinned by UK, European and global security and defence policies.
• Civil liberty issues must form an integral part of standardisation regulation and legislation of the satellite navigation sector.
  

UKISC urges UK government to continue to support the development and validation of Galileo and EGNOS and to complete Galileo to deliver maximum benefit to the UK.

With respect to GMES, UKISC recommends:

• The development of a coherent overall strategy for GMES in the UK, recognising national strengths and competencies.
• It is essential that the appropriate UK Government User Departments be brought on board with the GMES initiative at an early stage.
• A UK lead in the development and implementation of the 'horizontal' data and service provision IT infrastructure.
• The UK owns a 'vertical' theme in GMES - civil security and humanitarian aid probably provide the best opportunity for this.
• A focused GMES centre or partnership will provide an impetus for academic-industry knowledge transfer.
• At the European level, the GMES program elements must be integrated into one, with a combined ESA / EC structure organised and funded to support and manage it.
• There is an urgent requirement for clarification of the GMES needs for new space sensors, to fill the gaps in sustainable data and information provision.

Today, the sources of threats to national and international security are wide ranging and include: terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, regional conflicts, state failure, natural disasters, climate change and organised crime. Under this theme UKISC proposes that UKISC itself should:

• Conduct an industry review of relevant emerging technologies and engage in a dialogue with MOD and BNSC on research priorities.
• Evaluate potential future collaborative missions, in which much of the UKISC community could participate and then advise and lobby for their adoption.
• Provide a focus for advice on the potential for European space and security programmes, and assist in establishing a national strategy to address them.

Space science and exploration gives mankind inspiration and aspiration. It makes us look outwards from our planet, towards the stars and tries to answer the big questions. Under this the UKISC recommendations include:

• The Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC) engage with UK Industry to develop concrete plans for knowledge transfer collaborations between the science community and industry.
• PPARC should consult with UK Industry formally to identify which payload elements are best suited to development in academia and which in industry.
• PPARC, BNSC and UKISC should together develop a plan for capturing work in competition with non-UK industry.
• The development of a national strategy for preparatory technology development for ESA missions to match those of our competitors.
• PPARC and BNSC should reserve a significant funding line for national technology development and for bilateral missions.
• The UK participates in the Aurora programme at a level which will enable the UK to influence the activities carried out within that programme.
• PPARC takes an active role in the definition and management of the Aurora programme, both to ensure that UK subscriptions are not spent on human spaceflight, and to ensure that UK industry and academia are not competitively disadvantaged by the UK focus on science.
• Regular meetings between ESA, BNSC, PPARC and UKISC until the geo-return situation has been re-balanced.