Today Business Secretary Greg Clark announced that Tim Peake will make a second ESA (European Space Agency) mission to the International Space Station to continue work on scientific research and broadening the UK’s understanding of the space environment.
This is fantastic news for the UK Space sector which is already at the cutting edge of exploring the universe and connecting people to the world around them. Growing at over 8% a year, the UK’s space industry designs, develops and manufactures technology that not only supports other industries but also invests in technology that is at the core of everyday lives.
Earlier this week the government launched its Green Paper on a modern industrial strategy which showed the Space sector driving growth and skills across the UK. The Space industry is strategically placed to deliver across all of the priorities set out in the government’s modern industrial strategy from boosting innovation, to developing skills, the Space industry is clearly driving growth across the country.
Today Tim Peake also opened the new Airbus Foundation Discovery Space STEM Centre in Stevenage. The Centre will promote science, technology, engineering and maths to inspire the next generation of engineers, technicians and scientists. Investing in new innovation and preparing the youth of today for the exciting times ahead in the Space sector is a great preparatory step for delivering local growth and enhancing the UK’s global competitiveness.
