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Lord Sainsbury says UK must seize opportunties in Space: Science
Minister outlines choices at debate on new UK Space Strategy 

Tue 11, March, 2003

P/2003/135                                                                 
                      March 11, 2003

LORD SAINSBURY SAYS UK MUST SEIZE OPPORTUNITIES IN SPACE
Science Minister outlines choices at debate on new UK Space Strategy

Science Minister Lord Sainsbury today said the UK needed to make hard
choices to achieve objectives set out in the Government's next Space
Strategy. 

The draft strategy, unveiled in January, sets out three key
priorities for the next three years to enable space to serve people
as a tool for science, enterprise and the environment. They are: 

Enhancing the UK's standing in astronomy, planetary and earth
sciences; Stimulating increased productivity by promoting the use of
space in government, science and commerce; and, Developing innovative
space systems, to deliver sustainable improvement in quality of life.
The Minister, speaking at an all-day public consultation at Queen
Mary, University of London, told leaders from commerce and science: 

"I believe there are many exciting developments in space today and
many opportunities to provide benefits for our scientists, for
industry generally, the space industry itself and for our citizens.
We need to seize these opportunities, but we will only be able to do
so if we are clear about our objectives, are creative in our
strategies, and focus our resources." 

He added:

"We are forced to look sharply at whether our activities fit our
priorities. Making a strategy involves making choices, deciding what
we want to foster and what, with the limited resources available to
us, we have to leave to others. This can be hard." 

Lord Sainsbury praised the UK space community for its strengths in
telecommunications, global positioning and Earth Observation. He also
lauded the achievements of scientists for their involvement in the
development of the UK-led Beagle 2 Mars lander, which blasts off this
summer. 

But he said there was still a gap in delivering "down to earth"
benefits from space by exploiting and delivering services based on
space infrastructure and space derived data. He added: 

"One of the core messages of the new strategy is that we need to see
people building successful commercial enterprises, serving the public
and private sectors, which are enabled by our investment in space.
The role of space is to serve the citizen in many ways. The new
strategy seeks to provide the best conditions for this to happen." 

Lord Sainsbury also emphasised the importance of the UK's role in the
international space community. 

"More than almost any other activity, space is truly international.
This is a critical moment in the development of the world's space
endeavour. We work closely with our friends in Europe, the United
States and elsewhere to achieve things that could not possibly be
achieved alone. 

"Central to the achievement of the UK's objectives in space is the
European Space Agency. ESA needs to make important decisions on its
role and priorities and how it will work with the European Union. The
UK will play a very active part in discussions on the Green Paper,
the Convention on Europe and other debates." 

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The draft UK Space Strategy was published on January 22 and is
open to a three-month consultation period that included today's
public meeting at Queen Mary, University of London. The event was
chaired by BNSC and included speakers and panellists from
stakeholders in the UK space community. The audience included
representatives from industry, commerce and science, who were able to
voice their views on the strategy. 

2. The Astronomy Unit of Queen Mary, University of London is one of
the UK's premier centres for research and postgraduate education,
attracting students, postdoctoral research fellows and distinguished
visitors from around the world. Members of the Unit participate in a
wide range of international research programs, including many NASA
and ESA space missions, in areas such as planetary formation,
cosmology, gravitation, solar & stellar physics, and solar system
bodies. 

3. The document is available on the BNSC website and comments,
preferably no more than four pages in length, should be sent to one
of the following addresses no later than 30 April 2003: by email to
ukspaceconsult{at}bnsc.gov.uk, by post to Strategy Consultation, British
National Space Centre, Bay 175, 151 Buckingham Palace Road, London
SW1W 9SS, or by fax to Strategy Consultation 020 7215 0936. The final
strategy will be published later this year and will cover 2003-6 and
beyond. 

4. BNSC is a partnership of Government Departments and Research
Councils with an interest in the development or exploitation of space
technologies. The British National Space Centre (BNSC) is the UK
Government body responsible for UK civil space policy, to help gain
the best possible scientific, economic and social benefits from
putting space to work. 

Press Enquiries: 020 7215 0806/0905
(Out of Hours: 020 7215 3234/3505)
Public Enquiries: 020 7215 5000
Textphone (for people with hearing impairments): 020 7215 6740
http://www.bnsc.gov.uk

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