The history of the UK space sector
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
Prime Minister Boris Johnson vowed to send rockets into space next year in what he hopes will lead to “Global Britain becoming Galactic Britain”. It came after the Government published its £16billion National Space Strategy to set out long long-term plans for the UK to cement its position as a world leader in the cosmos. But Chair of the Parliamentary Space Committee David Morris says its release poses a “danger” of “ticking the box marked space” while not providing “the focus, resources and partnership with industry necessary to deliver it”.
The Morecambe and Lunesdale MP told Express.co.uk that now is the time to “double down” on the intent and provided a a five-step plan to do so.
Firstly, he wants to “forge a stronger and closer collaboration” between the likes of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the UK Space Agency (UKSA) with businesses “that goes beyond dialogue and becomes a fully-fledged partnership”.
Secondly, Mr Morris has previously claimed that an “anomaly” in recently passed legislation could stop companies from launching from the UK.
He expected it to be cleared up in the new strategy, but he was left disappointed.
He explained: “The recently published space flight regulations fail to set a clear and binding cap on sector liabilities for launch from the UK, or any potential damage on earth from satellites falling out of orbit.
“This makes it impossible to secure insurance or to set competitive pricing for launch services.
“We need to get this addressed as a matter of urgency.”
That is not all.
The 55-year-old has also called for a “data regulatory policy, particularly for Earth Observation data – which is the gathering of information about the physical, chemical, and biological systems of the planet Earth.
He added: “The UKSA, CAA and Ofcom should work together to ensure joined up and streamlined processes for companies in the space sector such that the data the UK harvests can continue be an effective driver for our launch ambition, while at the same time allowing UK world-leading data capture companies to have that reflected in their ability to capitalise on this data internationally.”
Mr Morris says the space strategy “does not hold back in recognising the importance of space in tackling climate change,” but he wants to see more.
He explained: “There is the opportunity to go further. environmental regulators, for example, could play a role in spaceflight regulation, and the UK should take the lead now in pioneering green launches.
The National Space Strategy also states the Government “will work more closely with the financial sector to understand investors’ needs and bring them together with the investment opportunities of our thriving space innovation ecosystem”.
DON’T MISS
AstraZeneca secures huge deal with UK start-up to produce new vaccine [REPORT]
End of the world: One day warning for Earth being hit by solar storm [REVEAL]
Britain agrees multibillion-pound plan for nuclear power plant [INSIGHT]
But Mr Morris wants to see a further step taken here and claims “the Government needs to do more”.
He continued: “This means providing match funding, aligning existing sources of funding with its objectives and ensuring exciting new resources – like the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) – are focused on the space opportunity too.
“For UK launch companies, the strategy is lacking detail but positive.
“No one is in any doubt about the Government’s commitment to deliver its promise to ensure a sovereign launch capability but the devil, as always is in the detail and I hope to see the above concerns positively addressed to make the UK space industry flourish as it rightly should.”
Source: Read Full Article
