Q&A with Ian Annett of the UK Space Agency
The UK Space Agency has been instrumental in guiding the developing British space sector
It feels like there’s a lot going on in spaceflight in the UK. Are we on the cusp of something?
There is an immense amount going on. I think we’re in the most exciting decade for space since the 1960s. It’s gripped the world, not only for its inspiration but because it’s got real economic benefits globally and certainly nationally for the UK.
We want to establish a commercial vertical and horizontal satellite launch capability from the UK. Really what we’re aiming at is the economy in low-Earth orbit (LEO) – that’s burgeoning. Back in 2012, something like 50 satellites launched into LEO, and by 2019 I think it was 900; but last year, there were 1,900 launches into space, 1,700 of which were satellites into LEO. So it’s a rapidly growing economic opportunity for the UK, whether that be for telecommunications, Earth observation or indeed in more normal technologies like manufacturing interfaces, we can grow crystalline structures in a much better and more efficient manner [in space]. You’re only really limited by your imagination.
Why the UK? Are there advantages geographically, politically or legally that make the UK a good place for spaceflight?
I think all of the above. The UK is a good place to do business. It’s got a stable legal framework. Under the Space Industry Act in 2020 we have introduced the most forward-leading and flexible set of space regulations. If you look at the insurance market for satellites and launches, you’ll find the vast majority of them come to London.
But more fundamentally, our space industry has an immense amount of skill, from designing satellites to building them. More small satellites are built in Glasgow than anywhere else in Europe. Global businesses like Inmarsat and OneWeb have their operation centres here. The UK is a great place to come to for developing applications that can exploit that data [from space], whether it be Earth observation or navigational data. The one thing that was really missing in that full spectrum of capability is launch. And if you can deliver that from a single nation, it makes it really, really attractive. That’s why we’ve put £40 million into the launch programme.
What about human spaceflight and the UK’s role in the Artemis programme?
The UK is very forward-leaning in terms of being involved in the global human spaceflight projects, but we very much do that through our partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA). Through its association with ESA the UK will make critical contributions towards Artemis: whether it’s through parts of the Lunar Gateway that’s being built, or the European Service Module as part of the Orion capsule – there’s a lot of UK technology within that, and also some UK academic thinking through the likes of Imperial College.
What are you looking forward to in 2023 in terms of spaceflight in the UK?
One of the key things that keeps me driving forward with launch, and I hope I can reflect on in 2023, will be how many thousands of youngsters we have inspired to look up at the stars, get involved in the space sector, and be part of something that can improve our lives here in the UK, and also help to develop us economically.
Ian Annett is the Deputy CEO for Programme Delivery, responsible for national space programmes across the UK Space Agency