THE UK GOVERNMENT has launched a policy document for the future direction of the country's space industry which proposes concentrating around 50% of resources on establishing a commercial Earth-observation industry by 2005.
Ian Taylor, UK minister for space, launched the plan for the country's future space policies and activities after consultation with interested parties in industry, research and development, and academia (Flight International, 10-16 April). Among the plan's main objectives are:
the establishment of a competitive, commercial Earth-observation industry; with around 50% million of the UK's annual $200 million budget;
the promotion of the UK's small - satellite manufacturing capability - led by Surrey Satellite Technology;
a synergy between civil and military R&D, operations, procurement and standards, to help UK industry win military business;
participation in the Ariane 5 programme, as has been agreed recently.
Source: Flight International