What potential risks have been identified for the UK’s satellite launch industry?
UK now seen as ‘toxic’ for satellite launches, MPs told
MPs have been warned of the UK’s declining reputation as a destination for launching satellites after a committee heard that the issue had been described as “toxic”.
British satellite launch companies have been unable to secure funding or access capital due to the competitive field and regulatory challenges posed by the European Space Agency.
The House of Commons Science and Technology Committee was told that other countries, including the UK’s European neighbours, have managed to establish a much more attractive launch environment.
Impact of UK’s declining position
The issue was discussed in a session of the committee’s inquiry into the commercial spaceflight industry, which was held to investigate barriers to entry and identify the strategies to drive growth in the sector.
Professor Andrew Paterson from the University of Liverpool told the committee that the UK’s declining position was having a detrimental effect on the industry.
He said: “A message we hear from start-ups looking to get off the ground is that everybody is always ‘looking for the UK story’, the Holy Grail of a UK success story, and that if the UK is lagging behind, if it is seen as ‘toxic’, then it is very difficult for those companies to raise capital. The UK hasn’t established itself as a credible leader in the European launch field.”
What needs to be done
In order to help the UK become a competitive player in the satellite launch industry, Professor Paterson suggested the following:
- Create an attractive environment: Make the UK an attractive location for start-ups to set up and develop the skills needed to work in the space industry.
- Include space in science budgets: Make space and satellite launch an integral part of science budgets in order to encourage new satellite missions.
- Focus on commercial opportunities: Create more opportunities for UK businesses to export their technology and services to other countries.
- Flexibility: Allow greater flexibility in the use of airspace and spectrum, to encourage development of new technologies.
Professor Paterson concluded: “It is essential that the UK government takes seriously the opportunities and potential of the space industry, and takes steps to ensure that the UK is a destination for satellite launches and is a leading player in the field.”
British MPs have been urged to take urgent action to tackle the “toxic” reputation of the UK for satellite launches.
A report from the Science and Technology Committee found that the UK’s current regulations and processes are not fit for purpose, with a growing number of countries launching satellites without proper safety rules.
It is estimated that the UK could miss out on £2.2bn in annual economic benefits if it does not take active steps to address the issue and attract more space launches to Britain.
The committee heard evidence from numerous space experts and found that UK regulations and processes have not kept pace with the technological advances made in the industry – and have instead imposed “onerous” and