Universities and Science Minister Jo Johnson underlined the government's commitment to the UK space sector as he visited the future site of a new 100m pounds state-of-the-art government-funded satellite facility.

The 100m pound package includes 99m pounds of Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund investment to create a National Satellite Testing Facility (NSTF) on the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire, alongside a 4m pound investment for a new National Space Propulsion Facility to develop and test space engines at Wescott Venture Park in Buckinghamshire.

Part of the Government's Industrial Strategy, the significant funding boost will enable UK industry to competitively bid for more national and international contracts and ensure we remain a world-leader for space technologies for decades to come.

Visiting the UK Space Gateway on the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire, where the NSTF will be based, Universities and Science Minister Jo Johnson said:

"From Cornwall to the Highlands and islands of Scotland, the UK space sector underpins industries worth more than 250 billion pounds to the UK economy, and through our Industrial Strategy we will unlock the sector's potential to grow further.

"Located in a cluster known for research excellence, these new facilities will help UK companies be more competitive in the global market for space technology and support our ambition to capture 10% of the global space market by 2030."

Due to open in early 2020, the new NSTF will be a world-class facility for the assembly, integration and testing of space instruments and satellites, positioning the UK to capitalise on the estimated 3,500 -10,000 satellites that are due to be launched by 2025. It will also facilitate the build of bigger and more technologically advanced satellites and remove the need for UK companies to use test facilities located abroad.

The NSPF will allow companies and academia to test and develop space propulsion engines, alongside a new facility for Reaction Engines where the revolutionary SABRE air-breathing rocket engine will also be tested and built.

Dr Graham Turnock, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said: "This investment will enhance the capability of the UK space industry. Having access to a National Satellite Testing Facility will help companies develop and encourage new business to come the UK, while the development of new facilities at Westcott builds on what is already a world-class UK space propulsion sector."

Dr Brian Bowsher, Chief Executive of the Science and Technology Facilities Council, said: "STFC's RAL Space team has been chosen as the delivery organisation for this investment and our staff will be responsible for the definition, design, building, fit out and operation of the facility. This is fantastic recognition of the strong reputation we have in the UK and overseas as the go-to team for the assembly, integration and testing of the incredibly complex and unique engineering involved in space payloads and satellites."

Tweet

Boeing Streamlining Defense and Space Unit to boost competitiveness
Arlington, VA (SPX) Jun 16, 2017
Boeing is taking the next step in making its Defense, Space and Security (BDS) unit more globally competitive by eliminating a layer of executive oversight. "We need to be an agile organization that is more responsive to customers' needs and committed to continually improving productivity," said Defense, Space and Security President and CEO Leanne Caret. "We are fundamentally address ... read more

Related Links
UK Space Agency
The latest information about the Commercial Satellite Industry

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only