On 14 December the Government published its National Space Policy document. The next day, Major Tim Peake became the first UK astronaut to join the International Space Station.
Against that background, the Committee is launching an inquiry into Satellites and space, to inform the Government’s promised UK Civil Space Strategy in 2016. Satellite technology is one of the ‘Eight Great Technologies’ identified by the Government in 2013.
Written submissions
The Committee welcomes written submissions by Friday 29 January 2016 on the National Space Policy and the following issues:
- What satellite-based capabilities should the Government particularly support — telecommunications, navigation, earth observation, space science, or others — and how?
- What steps should the Government be taking to build markets for both new satellites and the ‘space services’ that they provide (such as space-based internet services or high resolution imaging)?
- What is the impact of the current UK regulatory environment on growth in the satellites and space sector? Is it conducive to new players, such as SMEs and start-ups, entering the market? Has the regulatory environment kept pace with innovations in satellite/space technologies?
- What mechanisms are needed to encourage investment in UK space and satellite technology, and improve access to finance?
- Is the Government striking the right balance between national and European/international endeavour?
- What are the key challenges facing the Government and industry in developing and implementing new space capabilities and services? What are the technical barriers to further growth in the sector, including the lack of a UK launch capacity?
Send a written submission: Send a written submission via the Satellites and space inquiry page
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