UK space industry welcomes investment in spaceports and commercial spaceflight
The Queen's Speech outlined plans for a Modern Transport Bill for the forthcoming Government's legislative programme, proposing measures that encourage investment in spaceport and commercial spaceflight, which have been warmly welcomed by the UK space industry.
Courtesy parliament.uk
The UK space sector is one of Britain’s fastest growing and most innovative sectors, impacting on many aspects of life in the 21st century. The sector is worth close to £12 billion a year to the UK economy, with an annual growth rate of 8.6%, with a productivity three times the national average.
A spaceport would allow the UK to develop low-cost means to access space and exploit the benefits of satellite enabled services and applications. Already space is an integral part of our everyday lives: every time we go to work, turn on the television, make a mobile phone call, or engage the satnav system in our car or smart phone. Increasingly satellite technology and applications is a critical enabler in many other sectors. A UK satellite launch capability would help UK to retain its leadership in a vibrant, fast-growing and vital global market.
Commenting on the Queen’s Speech Andy Green President of UKspace and co-Chair of the Space Leadership Council, said: “Reducing the cost of access to space brings tangible benefits to everyone here on earth. Today's announcement opens up even more opportunities for British business to provide reliable, ubiquitous communications, entertainment and security services to people in every part of the world. This is an exciting time for Space. The UK is continuing to show its scientists and businesses can lead the world.”