Science, Research & Innovation Minister George Freeman, has secured commitments to grow the UK space sector and deliver on National Space Strategy ambitions.

As part of the deal made at the European Space Agency (ESA) Council of Ministers meeting in Paris, Freeman has announced £1.84 billion worth of commitments for a series of UK space development projects.

This included important UK investment of £315 million in Earth observation and climate programmes. Additionally, the ESA will provide commitments to the UK-built Rosalind Franklin Mars Rover, which is set to launch to Mars in 2028, with UK industry set to play a leading role in developing a new landing platform.

The UK will have a leading involvement in space sustainability via satellite management, maintenance, and retrieval to support UK ambitions to lead in global space sustainability regulation and innovation.

Freeman also announced the UK ill play a role in commercially focused programmes, including communications and navigation, driving further innovation in the satellite industry.

The deal will also enable the UK to set the standards for satellite climate measurements, with funding secured for further development of the TRUTHS mission, first proposed by scientists at the National Physical Laboratory.

As a founding member of ESA, which is independent of the EU, the UK’s space and commercial satellite sector will play a leading role in future international missions and innovative commercial programmes, the government said.

There are already more than 47,000 jobs in the UK space sector, which generates an estimated £16.5 billion every year.

Freeman commented: “Space is a fundamentally collaborative endeavour, so the European Space Agency Council of Ministers was an important opportunity to deepen our international relationships with the goal of advancing space technology for the benefit of all.

“I’m delighted to return from the meeting with such a strong package of commitments, as well as being able to provide support for our outstanding Earth observation sector, to protect it from the uncertainty caused as a result of the EU’s delays, as we continue seeking Copernicus association.

“These new investments will support the ongoing growth of the UK space and commercial satellite sector – creating new jobs around the UK from Cornwall to the North of Scotland – and securing UK leadership in space sustainability. They will put our scientists and engineers at the forefront of some of the world’s most important missions and programmes which drive transformational innovation.”

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The UK committed £615 million to ESA’s core space science budget, securing opportunities for UK firms to bid for high-value contracts and establishing new scientific leadership roles for UK universities.

Satellites provide vital insight into the climate and our environment, and the UK committed in the National Space Strategy to remaining at the forefront of Earth observation technology.

New investments will allow the UK to work with ESA to use space to fight climate change and deliver programmes that support our national interest.

Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, said: “From protecting our own planet to exploring new worlds, we invest in these programmes because they benefit humanity and deliver a strong return to the UK economy.

“Our membership of ESA adds significant firepower to our national space ambitions, complementing the UK Space Agency’s work to catalyse investment, deliver new missions and capabilities, and champion the power of space for businesses and people across the country.”

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