Committees

UK space strategy and UK satellite infrastructure

Inquiry

The UK space sector holds great potential, generating an income of £14.8 billion annually according to the Government’s Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy. Nevertheless, it has been suggested that the UK’s approach to space policy requires a rethink. Further, investment in UK lags behind that of other nations such as France and Italy, who spend between five and ten times more on their national space sectors. 

The Government has established a new National Space Council as a Cabinet Committee and has promised to publish a new UK Space Strategy. The Government has made steps to improve its satellite infrastructure through the joint acquisition of OneWeb and the completion of consultations relating to the legislation required to allow spaceflight (including satellite launch) in the UK.  

A coordinated approach to supporting the UK’s thriving space sector must also be viewed through the lens of recovery from the impacts of covid-19 and the UK’s departure from the European Union. The House of Commons Science and Technology Committee is conducting an inquiry into a new UK Space Strategy and UK Satellite Infrastructure.

Upcoming events

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Past events

Wednesday 17 May 2023
9:20am Private
9:30am Public
UK space strategy and UK satellite infrastructure - Oral evidence 17 May 2023
9:30am
  • Frank Strang (CEO at SaxaVord Spaceport)
  • Dave Ballance (Launch Operations Manager at SaxaVord Spaceport)
10:00am
  • Mario Kobald (CEO at HyImpulse Technologies)
  • Jonas Bjarnø (Chief Technical Officer at Orbex)
10:45am
  • Colin Macleod (Head of Space Regulation at Civil Aviation Authority)
  • Rob Bishton (Joint Chief Executive at Civil Aviation Authority)
11:15am
  • George Freeman MP (Minister of State at Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
  • Rebecca Evernden (Director, Space Directorate at Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Room 6, Palace of Westminster
Wednesday 1 March 2023
9:20am Private
9:30am Public
UK space strategy and UK satellite infrastructure - Oral evidence 1 March 2023
9:30am
  • Patrick McCall (Non-executive Director at Space Forge Ltd)
  • Joshua Western (CEO at Space Forge Ltd)
10:15am
  • Melissa Quinn (Head at Spaceport Cornwall)
  • Dan Hart (CEO at Virgin Orbit)
11:00am
  • Ian Annett (Deputy CEO at UK Space Agency)
  • Sir Stephen Hillier CBE (Chair at Civil Aviation Authority)
  • Tim Johnson (Policy Director at Civil Aviation Authority)
Room 6, Palace of Westminster
Thursday 10 February 2022
1:00pm Public
Oral evidence session 10 February 2022
UK space strategy and UK satellite infrastructure - Oral evidence
1:00pm
  • Professor Malcolm Macdonald (Chair of Applied Space Technology at University of Strathclyde)
  • Professor Iain Woodhouse (Professor of Applied Earth Observation at University of Edinburgh)
The role of technology, research and innovation in the COVID-19 recovery - Oral evidence
1:45pm
  • Professor Frank Coton (Senior Vice Principal and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) at University of Glasgow)
  • Karen Watt (Chief Executive at Scottish Funding Council)
2:30pm
  • Dr Gillian Lang (Deputy Director of Science at Glasgow Science Centre)
  • Dr Lynne O'Hare (Chief Commercial Officer at National Manufacturing Institute Scotland)
  • Elaine Gemmell (Head of Regulatory Affairs at Scottish Health Innovations Ltd)
3:15pm
  • Simon Andrews (Executive Director at Fraunhofer UK)
  • Dr Stuart Hannah (Founder at MicroPlate Dx)
Glasgow
Wednesday 9 February 2022
9:20am Private
9:30am Public
UK space strategy and UK satellite infrastructure - Oral evidence 9 February 2022
9:30am
  • Paul Bate (CEO at UK Space Agency)
  • Mark Thomson (Executive Chair at Science and Technology Facilities Council)
10:30am
  • Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng (Secretary of State at Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy)
  • Rebecca Evernden (Director for Space at Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy)
  • Hugo Robson (Chief Negotiator at Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy)
Room 8, Palace of Westminster

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