1 May 2014

Commercial space flights could launch from a UK spaceport as part of range of measures designed to help shape the future of Britains growing space industry.

The Government Response to the Space Innovation and Growth Strategy (IGS) Action Plan 2014 2030 and the National Space Security Policy (NSSP) set out plans to achieve a 40bn UK space industry by 2030 and a coherent approach to protecting the UKs space assets.

In a statement David Willetts, minister for universities and science, said: The space sector continues to thrive, and is one of our Eight Great Technologies with the potential to propel UK growth.

Space industries already support 95,000 full time jobs and generate 9.1bn for the economy each year, and our response to the Growth Action Plan shows our commitment to secure its future growth and realise ambitions to develop a viable UK space port for commercial space flight.

The government said it has broadly welcomed the suggestions made in the IGS and in addition to committing stronger support for export and agreeing further work to improve regulatory framework for space activity, the response also incorporates measures to create and sustain new business in related markets.

The National Space Security Policy sets out an approach to the UKs space security interests, outlining measures to make Britain more resilient to the risk of disruption to space services and capabilities. It is also intended to enhance national security interests through space, promote a safe and more secure space environment, and enable industry and academia to exploit science and grasp commercial opportunities.

Philip Dunne, minister for defence equipment, support and technology, said: This policy is about galvanising our skills, our resources and our raw talent to promote resilience to the risks of operating in space in both the civilian and military spheres.

In implementing the National Space Security Policy, some of the early priorities will include mapping the UKs dependency on space across government, critical infrastructure and key industrial sectors and assessing the extent of resilience in each of these fields. There will also be collaboration across government and with national and international partners to share capability where it is possible to do so, particularly in the fields of tracking space debris and near Earth objects.

Actions emerging from the IGS include:

Read this article:

Government backs plans for UK spaceport