Who we are
The UK Space Agency is an executive agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and at the heart of UK efforts to explore and benefit from space.
Space is an essential part of all our everyday lives and one of the key enablers of the global economy.
Space has revolutionised telecommunications services, climate and weather forecasting, commerce, environmental management, security, banking, navigation and TV broadcasting.
The UK space sector is thriving, showing growth rates of 10.2% over the last four years (The Size and Health of the UK Space Industry: November 2010) despite the economic recession.
Reporting to the Minister of State for Universities and Science, the UK Space Agency is at the heart of UK efforts to explore space, exploit space-based applications and technology and support our academic and industrial communities.
The UK Space Agency was launched officially on 23 March 2010 and became an executive agency of BIS on 1 April 2011. The Agency is responsible for all strategic decisions on the UK civil space programme and provides a clear, single voice for UK space ambitions.
The UK Space Agency:
- co-ordinates UK civil space activity;
- supports academic research;
- nurtures the UK space industry;
- raises the profile of UK space activities at home and abroad;
- works to increase understanding of space and its practical benefits and;
- inspires our next generation of UK scientists and engineers.
UK space policy is carried out within the framework of the UK Civil Space Strategy 2008-2012 and beyond. This strategy shapes the direction of UK space policy. The strategy is being reviewed in line with the UK Space Innovation and Growth Strategy and the Agency's new position as an executive agency of BIS.
The UK Space Agency also interfaces with other departments on security and military programmes. Although it does not manage these programmes directly, the UK Space Agency is kept informed and involved in decisions relating to the programmes as necessary.
Collaboration lies at the heart of the UK Space Agency ethos and applies across Government as well as to external organisations including European and global partners such as the European Space Agency (ESA), the European Union, national space agencies and the United Nations.
The Space Leadership Council formed at the launch of the UK Space Agency in March 2010, and provides strategic advice and challenge for the UK Space Agency and identifies future opportunities for growth in the space sector, the wider economy and society in general.
UK Space Agency Steering Board
The Steering Board’s role is to advise Ministers on the strategies to be adopted by the UK Space Agency. The Board also provides advice and guidance from a commercial standpoint to the Chief Executive and the senior management team on the UK Space Agency’s performance, operation and development, including its management of risk.
Download the steering board member list. (PDF, 20 Kb)
