- July 17, 2007
- Posted by: EARSC
- Category: Archive
The “wider space community” should be involved in shaping the future of the government’s space policy, MPs have said today.
The science and technology select committee believes this is necessary to benefit from the “great economic potential” the space sector holds.
It rejected calls for a UK space agency to be established and instead recommends the government strengthens its current approach to space.
Involving the wider space community could be achieved through a space forum, the committee’s report says, and the British National Space Centre Headquarters should be provided with a small budget of its own.
Activities which the committee believes the UK should focus on include robotic exploration, satellite navigation and Earth observation.
Although the committee praised the UK space industry for being “ambitious and focussed” it warned that there may not be enough highly skilled workers to continue its success.
“We are concerned that there is a skills shortage in the space industry and a broad programme of incentives may be necessary to ensure a continued flow of people into the industry,” the committee’s report said.
It also recommends that the government provides funding for early stage technology development.
“A strong political lead is essential for the UK research and industrial sectors,” the report states.
“There are opportunities for the UK to lead developments in areas such as exploration, satellite navigation and Earth observation. It is crucial that the government increases funding for space programmes now in order to benefit future generations.”
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