Author Topic: UK Space Agency (UKSA) Announced  (Read 2754 times)

Offline Ben the Space Brit

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7206
  • A spaceflight fan
  • London, UK
  • Liked: 806
  • Likes Given: 900
UK Space Agency (UKSA) Announced
« on: 03/23/2010 10:35 am »
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8579270.stm

The BBC has reported that the British Government is to form a single UK space agency that will be responsible for formulating UK space policy including missions and 'relationships with international partners'.  The agency is described as 'muscular'; I'm hoping that this means it will have the funding to reach its objectives and actually deploy spacecraft.

The focus appears to be on creating a satcom and environmental monitoring strategy from whole cloth at this stage.  However, with Prof. Pilger and his team always coming up with new ideas, it might also mean that we could see British-flagged space probes aimed at the Moon and beyond launching from CSG, Baikonour, Wallops and KSC within a few years.
« Last Edit: 03/23/2010 11:39 am by Ben the Space Brit »
"Oops! I left the silly thing in reverse!" - Duck Dodgers

~*~*~*~

The Space Shuttle Program - 1981-2011

The time for words has passed; The time has come to put up or shut up!
DON'T PROPAGANDISE, FLY!!!

Offline Colds7ream

  • Tomorrow's Flight Surgeon
  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 185
  • Scientia Dabit Alas
  • RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus
    • SalopianJames - en Wikipedia
  • Liked: 3
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: UK Space Agency (UKSA) Announced
« Reply #1 on: 03/23/2010 11:37 am »
Is this actually the best news ever to come out of the Labour government? I think so! :-D

Offline Celebrimbor

  • Regular
  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 414
  • Bystander
  • Brinsworth Space Centre, UK
  • Liked: 12
  • Likes Given: 6
Re: UK Space Agency (UKSA) Announced
« Reply #2 on: 03/23/2010 11:46 am »
Hmmm, if you Google UKSA (on .co.uk) you get the following:

UK Sailing Academy
UK Shareholder's Association
UK Skateboarding Association
and the UK Statistics Authority.

I'm involved in some work for the latter. So I'm going to tell everyone I work for UKSA
« Last Edit: 03/23/2010 11:47 am by Celebrimbor »

Offline Garrett

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1134
  • France
  • Liked: 128
  • Likes Given: 113
Re: UK Space Agency (UKSA) Announced
« Reply #3 on: 03/23/2010 12:09 pm »
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8579270.stm
...  it might also mean that we could see British-flagged space probes aimed at the Moon and beyond launching from CSG, Baikonour, Wallops and KSC within a few years.

I would still imagine that any attempts to send something to the Moon would be done in collaboration with ESA. The CNES in France hasn't exactly tried to plant a French flag on the Moon and they've been around quite a while (1961).
I can probably see the new UKSA providing a basis for more independence to the British space industry, so that they can negotiate outside of the ESA framework. I think it would be nice to see the UKSA initiating a COTS style program for the private sector in Britain. I haven't noticed any indication of such a program from ESA, but correct me if I'm wrong.
- "Nothing shocks me. I'm a scientist." - Indiana Jones

Offline simpl simon

  • Regular
  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 427
  • Liked: 23
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: UK Space Agency (UKSA) Announced
« Reply #4 on: 03/23/2010 12:54 pm »
Ben, thanks for the link.
I'm a bit confused about what is newsworthy today, since the Department for Business Innovation & Skills (BIS) produced a press release on this subject dated 10 December 2009 (see link). So it seems they have finally created a logo.

http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/assets/pdf/PRSciMin2.pdf

And by the way, you thought BIS meant British Interplanetary Society? I guess there just aren't enough letters left in the alphabet........

Offline A_M_Swallow

  • Elite Veteran
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8906
  • South coast of England
  • Liked: 500
  • Likes Given: 223
Re: UK Space Agency (UKSA) Announced
« Reply #5 on: 03/23/2010 05:26 pm »
Is this actually the best news ever to come out of the Labour government? I think so! :-D

Only if there is a lot more money.  There will definitely be more bureaucrats.  More paper pushers for the same money means less science and fewer satellites.

Offline stockman

  • Extreme Veteran
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6916
  • Southern Ontario - Canada
  • Liked: 4
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: UK Space Agency (UKSA) Announced
« Reply #6 on: 03/23/2010 05:28 pm »
Does this mean we can finally get Moon Base Alpha built???  ;)   (tongue firmly planted in cheek)... :)
One Percent for Space!!!

Online Chris Bergin

Re: UK Space Agency (UKSA) Announced
« Reply #7 on: 03/23/2010 05:37 pm »
Needs more funding to be a player, but it's a step back in the right direction.

It looks like we're getting a Conservative government after this year's election, so it'll be interesting how the play this.
Support NSF via L2 -- Help improve NSF -- Site Rules/Feedback/Updates
**Not a L2 member? Whitelist this forum in your adblocker to support the site and ensure full functionality.**

Offline Jester

  • Administrator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7979
  • Earth
  • Liked: 6533
  • Likes Given: 157
Re: UK Space Agency (UKSA) Announced
« Reply #8 on: 03/23/2010 06:04 pm »
Good to hear

i'm wondering what this would mean for ESA the facility at Harwell.....

Offline Ben the Space Brit

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7206
  • A spaceflight fan
  • London, UK
  • Liked: 806
  • Likes Given: 900
Re: UK Space Agency (UKSA) Announced
« Reply #9 on: 03/24/2010 12:43 pm »
i'm wondering what this would mean for ESA the facility at Harwell.....

It'll probably remain ESA with a UKSA liaison office added on.

UKSA will now be Britain's mouthpiece in its dealings with ESA.  That probably means anything British sent up by an Ariane will mean a 'UKSA' desk at CSG launch control.  Apart from that, I can't think that much else will change.
"Oops! I left the silly thing in reverse!" - Duck Dodgers

~*~*~*~

The Space Shuttle Program - 1981-2011

The time for words has passed; The time has come to put up or shut up!
DON'T PROPAGANDISE, FLY!!!

Offline Jester

  • Administrator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7979
  • Earth
  • Liked: 6533
  • Likes Given: 157

Tags:
 

Advertisement NovaTech
Advertisement Northrop Grumman
Advertisement
Advertisement Margaritaville Beach Resort South Padre Island
Advertisement Brady Kenniston
Advertisement NextSpaceflight
Advertisement Nathan Barker Photography
1