The UK government has unveiled a new cross-departmental space strategy, committing £7.8 billion in funding through 2030 to bolster national security and economic growth. This comprehensive plan consolidates activities across various government bodies, including the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST), the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the Department for Transport, UK Research and Innovation, and the Met Office.
The strategy aims to enhance orbital collision warnings, low Earth orbit communications, military intelligence, launch capabilities, and space science. BIST Secretary Jonathan Reynolds emphasized that space is an emerging arena for economic and military competition, stating that the plan will secure Britain by strengthening its ability to launch satellites, detect threats, and safeguard essential services, while simultaneously fostering growth and job creation within the UK industry.
A significant portion of the funding, £149 million, is allocated to European Space Agency (ESA) space safety initiatives, including the Vigil mission, and £85 million for the National Space Operations Centre. These investments are intended to improve space domain awareness by tracking satellites, rockets, and debris, providing better warnings for potential satellite collisions, hostile activities, and solar storms that could impact power, communications, and navigation services.
For military applications, £880 million has been earmarked during the current Parliament for space control and space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. This funding will support tracking ground-based military activity, identifying potential satellite attacks, and protecting British assets in orbit.
Satellite connectivity is another key focus, with £2.8 billion allocated to programs such as Connectivity in Low Earth Orbit (C-LEO) and the military's SKYNET communications system. The UK Space Agency's C-LEO program has already secured up to £160 million through March 2030 to support British companies and researchers in developing satellite communications technology.
The strategy also includes £40 million for in-orbit servicing, assembly, and manufacturing technologies, which could facilitate satellite repair, debris removal, and even the production of semiconductors and pharmaceuticals in space. Additionally, £148 million is directed towards European rocket programs, and SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland is slated to receive £30 million, pending due diligence.
Further investments include £163 million for space science and exploration missions, such as the UK-built Rosalind Franklin Mars rover. Other allocations comprise £57 million for improved rail connectivity, £190 million for astronomy and space science research, and £9 million to enhance space weather forecasting.
The government intends to streamline the procurement and development of space technology, starting with satellite communications, to prioritize British suppliers, accelerate delivery, and ensure better value for taxpayers. This new document supersedes the 2021 National Space Strategy, which a House of Lords report last year criticized for failing to translate its ambitions into tangible results, citing a lack of strategic direction within the UK space sector.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the progress of Skynet 6, the £8.35 billion program to upgrade military satellite communications. In July, the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) assigned Skynet 6 a "red" rating, indicating that successful delivery appeared unachievable in its current form. This downgrade from the previous year's "amber" rating was attributed to department-wide recruitment and resourcing shortages, along with "sub-par supplier performance" delaying the delivery of the first SKYNET 6 satellite.
