Second Report - UK space strategy and UK satellite infrastructure

Select Committee
Science, Innovation and Technology Committee HC 100 4 November 2022
Report Status Response document linked Recorded deadline: 4 Jan 2023

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Conclusions & Recommendations 37 items (29 recs)
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Government response
Second Special Report - UK space strategy and UK satellite infrastructure: Government Response to the Committee’s Second Report · published 30 Mar 2023
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Recommendations & Conclusions

37 results
1 Recommendation
Para 26
We understand that, once fully launched, the OneWeb low Earth orbit constellation will provide broadband...
Recommendation
We understand that, once fully launched, the OneWeb low Earth orbit constellation will provide broadband coverage, via broadband providers such as BT, to people in the UK and elsewhere, including those in remote areas. However, it is not clear to … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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2 Recommendation
Para 27
Since the UK’s purchase of OneWeb, the number of shareholders has continued to grow.
Recommendation
Since the UK’s purchase of OneWeb, the number of shareholders has continued to grow. Although the Government has provided assurances that the proposed merger with Eutelsat will not affect the UK’s shares and involvement in OneWeb, uncertainty remains over how … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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3 Recommendation
Para 28
We acknowledge that OneWeb could bring additional benefits to the UK if it carried out...
Recommendation
We acknowledge that OneWeb could bring additional benefits to the UK if it carried out satellite manufacturing for its Gen2 constellation in the UK, which would stimulate the UK space sector and create new jobs. However, where the Gen2 constellation … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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4 Conclusion
Para 41
The UK has access to ‘open’ Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) services, supplied through the...
Conclusion
The UK has access to ‘open’ Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) services, supplied through the US GPS system and the EU Galileo system, meaning that most users are not affected by the UK leaving the Galileo programme. The UK currently … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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5 Conclusion
Para 42
We are concerned that the Government seems to be progressing towards plans to use OneWeb’s...
Conclusion
We are concerned that the Government seems to be progressing towards plans to use OneWeb’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation to provide PNT services in the future, despite suggestions from experts that there are many technical issues surrounding using … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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6 Recommendation
Para 43
Considering the importance of developing secure access to PNT services, we are disappointed that the...
Recommendation
Considering the importance of developing secure access to PNT services, we are disappointed that the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is delaying the finalisation and publication of the PNT strategy and therefore refusing to commit to the … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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7 Recommendation
Para 52
We understand that the UK space sector has significant concerns about the current and future...
Recommendation
We understand that the UK space sector has significant concerns about the current and future access to data currently supplied by EU’s Copernicus programme, especially if the UK cannot remain a member. BEIS and UK Space Agency (UKSA) 76 UK … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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8 Recommendation
Para 57
The UK is world-leading in Earth Observation (EO) science and technologies.
Recommendation
The UK is world-leading in Earth Observation (EO) science and technologies. The EO sector and the Government have recognised that these strengths can also be used to support other UK ambitions such as Net Zero. Taking guidance from the UK … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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9 Recommendation
The UK space sector remains strongly in favour of maintaining the UK’s participation in the...
Recommendation
The UK space sector remains strongly in favour of maintaining the UK’s participation in the EU’s Copernicus Earth observation programme, for which the UK Government has set aside €750 million. Despite this, it is imperative that the UK stands ready … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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10 Recommendation
Para 69
The Government and the UK space sector have made significant steps towards developing a UK...
Recommendation
The Government and the UK space sector have made significant steps towards developing a UK launch capability, with the establishment of a horizontal launch site at Spaceport Cornwall and two vertical launch sites: SaxaVord Spaceport on Unst in Shetland and … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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11 Recommendation
Para 76
We understand that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is considering changes to its approach to...
Recommendation
We understand that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is considering changes to its approach to setting liability caps for orbital licences, including changing to a variable liability limit approach, where liability bands are defined and the maximum value is recommended … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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12 Conclusion
Para 79
We were pleased to hear that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has been working with...
Conclusion
We were pleased to hear that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has been working with spaceports, satellite manufacturers, and launch suppliers to ensure that the spaceflight regulations and licence application processes are fit for purpose. However, we are concerned that … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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13 Recommendation
Para 80
The Government must take steps to ensure that the CAA is appropriately resourced to meet...
Recommendation
The Government must take steps to ensure that the CAA is appropriately resourced to meet the demands of processing increasing numbers of licence applications. Quarterly review meetings should be held by the CAA and DfT to review whether the CAA’s … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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14 Recommendation
Para 86
We are disappointed that a launch from the UK has not yet been achieved, especially...
Recommendation
We are disappointed that a launch from the UK has not yet been achieved, especially as we were assured on several occasions that the first horizontal launch would take place in summer 2022. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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15 Recommendation
We are concerned that the delay in achieving the first UK launch is partly due...
Recommendation
We are concerned that the delay in achieving the first UK launch is partly due to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) being unable to process licence applications in a timely manner. For this initial set of licence applications, the Department … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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16 Recommendation
The publication of the Space Industry Regulations in July 2021 was a vital step that...
Recommendation
The publication of the Space Industry Regulations in July 2021 was a vital step that set out the licensing processes for launch activities, including establishing the Civil Aviation Authority as the regulator. The Civil Aviation Authority, with the support of … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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17 Recommendation
Para 93
Although we believe that UK Space Agency (sponsored by BEIS) and the Ministry of Defence...
Recommendation
Although we believe that UK Space Agency (sponsored by BEIS) and the Ministry of Defence are both right to commit to improving their abilities to track and recognise objects in orbit (Space Situational Awareness /Space Domain Awareness), the two departments … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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18 Recommendation
Para 95
We commend the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy’s approach to promoting the sustainable...
Recommendation
We commend the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy’s approach to promoting the sustainable and safe use of space by developing a “regulatory road map” for the sustainable use of space and working with like- minded nations to promote … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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19 Recommendation
Para 98
We commend the Government’s latest announcements which will encourage the UK space industry to use...
Recommendation
We commend the Government’s latest announcements which will encourage the UK space industry to use space sustainably. As space is global in nature, the Government should set out how it intends to work with international partners to establish an International … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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20 Conclusion
Para 100
The Government has taken positive steps towards supporting the establishment of space debris removal missions...
Conclusion
The Government has taken positive steps towards supporting the establishment of space debris removal missions and we look forward to seeing further work in this area, especially on ensuring that regulation of these activities is fit for purpose. Space debris … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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21 Recommendation
Para 103
Research has already shown the UK has the potential to be a world leader in...
Recommendation
Research has already shown the UK has the potential to be a world leader in the growing in-orbit services and manufacturing (IOSM) market. The Government should seize this opportunity. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and UK Space … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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22 Conclusion
Although the technology is at a relatively early stage of development, Space Based Solar Power...
Conclusion
Although the technology is at a relatively early stage of development, Space Based Solar Power (SBSP) has the potential to become a useful supply of green energy by 2050, helping the UK to reach its Net Zero goals. We commend … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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23 Recommendation
Para 108
Space-based projects, including fundamental research and development of new and especially wholly novel technologies, generally...
Recommendation
Space-based projects, including fundamental research and development of new and especially wholly novel technologies, generally occur on long timescales and therefore require long-term funding. We were pleased to see the announcement of a three-year budget for the Department for Business, … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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24 Recommendation
Para 113
The current procurement systems are limiting the growth of the UK space sector and SMEs...
Recommendation
The current procurement systems are limiting the growth of the UK space sector and SMEs require further support to access new customers and expand. The Government should further consider how procurement could be used to support businesses and leverage further … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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25 Recommendation
Para 118
Clusters, such as those in Harwell and Glasgow, can be established in different ways and...
Recommendation
Clusters, such as those in Harwell and Glasgow, can be established in different ways and clearly bring benefits to the UK space sector. We welcome UK Space Agency’s (UKSA’s) announcements of at least some funding for the establishment of further … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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26 Recommendation
The Satellite Applications Catapult has been instrumental in securing the establishment and development of space...
Recommendation
The Satellite Applications Catapult has been instrumental in securing the establishment and development of space sector SMEs and driving the growth of Harwell space campus. The Government should provide further support to the Satellite Applications Catapult, which will in turn … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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27 Recommendation
Para 124
The UK’s involvement in the European Space Agency (ESA) has brought a wide range of...
Recommendation
The UK’s involvement in the European Space Agency (ESA) has brought a wide range of benefits to the UK and its space sector, but there is a need to re-address the balance between funding for ESA programmes and funding for … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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28 Conclusion
The UK has already benefited from new international agreements that have been established outside of...
Conclusion
The UK has already benefited from new international agreements that have been established outside of the European Union, such as with the US on the Artemis Accords and the UK-Australia Space Bridge. More needs to be done to ensure that … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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29 Recommendation
Para 144
The space sector is suffering from a skills shortage, with experienced employees and those with...
Recommendation
The space sector is suffering from a skills shortage, with experienced employees and those with skills such as programming being particularly hard to find. Higher Education institutions struggle to provide training that keeps pace with technical advancements happening in the … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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30 Recommendation
Para 145
Companies often find it difficult to recruit employees with considerable experience, but we think companies...
Recommendation
Companies often find it difficult to recruit employees with considerable experience, but we think companies are also hesitant to invest money and time into training staff. This is partly due to the short-term nature of grant funding, creating a need … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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31 Conclusion
If the UK is to address the space skills shortage it is currently facing, then...
Conclusion
If the UK is to address the space skills shortage it is currently facing, then it will need to inspire future generations to take up a career in space. Although the UK Space Agency has programmes in place that are … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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32 Conclusion
Para 156
We welcome the publication of the National Space Strategy, which provides a good overarching vision...
Conclusion
We welcome the publication of the National Space Strategy, which provides a good overarching vision for future civil and defence space applications. However, the strategy lacks details on how its broad aims will be achieved and does not specify on … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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33 Recommendation
Para 157
We are reassured that the Government has set up a national space board that is...
Recommendation
We are reassured that the Government has set up a national space board that is developing a cross-Government implementation plan to sit alongside the National UK space strategy and UK satellite infrastructure 81 Space Strategy. To ensure that the space … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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34 Recommendation
Para 158
We share the space sector’s concern that there has been no announced uplift in public...
Recommendation
We share the space sector’s concern that there has been no announced uplift in public funding for space to accompany the National Space Strategy and support the achievement of its objectives. This is all the more concerning given that the … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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35 Recommendation
Para 162
While we accept that the scope of the UK space industry is quickly changing and...
Recommendation
While we accept that the scope of the UK space industry is quickly changing and that the Government must take an adaptable approach to measuring its success, dropping headline targets when producing strategies and plans indicates a lack of ambition. … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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36 Recommendation
Para 167
As the National Space Strategy stressed that civil and defence capabilities would be brought together...
Recommendation
As the National Space Strategy stressed that civil and defence capabilities would be brought together wherever possible (so called ‘dual use’), more needs to be done to identify where overlapping capabilities can be brought together to exploit synergies and remove … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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37 Recommendation
Despite some potentially purposeful activity—including the establishment of the National Space Council and the National...
Recommendation
Despite some potentially purposeful activity—including the establishment of the National Space Council and the National Space Board and the publication of two over-lapping high-level strategies (the National, and the Defence, space strategies)— the disbanding of the National Space Council is … Read more
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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