The UK Government has unveiled a new national space strategy backed by £7.8 billion of investment to 2030, setting out plans to strengthen national security, boost industrial growth and develop advanced manufacturing capabilities across the country's space sector.
The strategy, published by the Department for Business, Innovation and Science, the Ministry of Defence and the
UK Space Agency, brings together government space investment under a single framework aimed at supporting economic growth while improving the UK's ability to detect and respond to threats in space.
A significant element of the programme focuses on defence and security. Investment includes £149 million for the European Space Agency's Vigil mission and £85 million for the National Space Operations Centre to enhance the UK's Space Domain Awareness capabilities. These systems monitor satellites, rockets and orbital debris, providing earlier warning of satellite collisions, hostile activity and space weather events that could disrupt critical services.
The Government will also invest £880 million in space control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. The funding will support technologies capable of tracking military activity and identifying potential threats to satellites, improving the UK's ability to protect both terrestrial infrastructure and assets in orbit.
Connectivity is another major pillar of the strategy, with £2.8 billion allocated to programmes including Connectivity in Low Earth Orbit and the SKYNET defence communications system. Officials say the initiative will strengthen communications for the Armed Forces while also delivering wider civilian benefits through improved rural connectivity and reduced mobile signal dropouts on rail networks.
The investment programme is designed to support a UK space sector already worth £18.6 billion and employing more than 55,000 people.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: "As space becomes a new frontier of economic and military competition, this plan will help keep Britain secure by strengthening our ability to launch satellites, detect threats and protect the services people rely on every day.
"At the same time, this plan will enable our excellent UK industry to seize the boundless opportunities of this new age in space, creating skilled jobs, driving growth and improving connectivity for all of us."
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting added: "This space strategy recognises that our national security depends on our freedom of action in space and, if necessary, the ability to protect UK and allied space assets. As threats in orbit grow more sophisticated, so must our ability to detect and respond to them, ensuring we protect the interests of the UK and allies while fuelling economic growth along the way.
"Backed by the Defence Investment Plan, we're investing more than £3 billion to ensure our defence capabilities in space keep pace with the threats we face, supporting reindustrialisation and creating opportunities here in the UK."
The strategy also places a strong emphasis on industrial development and advanced manufacturing. A £40 million package will support in-orbit servicing, assembly and manufacturing (ISAM) technologies, enabling satellites to be repaired and maintained in space while helping remove dangerous debris from orbit.
Government officials say the capability could also support production of new materials and products in space, including advanced semiconductors and pharmaceutical technologies.
Additional measures include £148 million for European rocket programmes, £30 million for the
SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland and £163 million for space science and exploration missions, including delivery of the UK-built Rosalind Franklin Mars Rover.
For the first time, the Government will adopt a single approach to procuring and developing space technologies, beginning with satellite communications. Ministers say the move will help UK suppliers secure more contracts, strengthen domestic supply chains and accelerate deployment of new capabilities.
Industry groups welcomed the announcement. Doug Liddle, chair of
UKspace, said the strategy offered "a valuable opportunity to create a more streamlined framework, strengthen collaboration and deliver greater impact across the UK space sector".
Kevin Craven, chief executive of
ADS, added: "This certainty allows the sector to operate at pace and for its industrial base to make long-term strategic and commercial commitments. It is also a vital signal of intent to our international partners for trade and collaboration."