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Queen's Speech: Bill to secure UK space sector Queen's Speech: Bill to secure UK space sector
(35 minutes later)
A government plan to secure growth in the UK's £13.7bn space industry is laid out in the Queen's Speech.A government plan to secure growth in the UK's £13.7bn space industry is laid out in the Queen's Speech.
The stated purpose of the new Bill is to make the UK the most attractive place in Europe for commercial space and make use of emerging technologies. The stated purpose of the new Bill is to make the UK the most attractive place in Europe for commercial space - including launches from British soil.
The government says it will aim to secure a 10% share of the global space economy by 2030. It would help increase the UK share of the global space economy from 6.5% today to 10% by 2030.
Officials and stakeholders are keen to ensure the space sector does not lose out when the UK leaves the EU.Officials and stakeholders are keen to ensure the space sector does not lose out when the UK leaves the EU.
Ministers have previously said that they would introduce legislation to support commercial spaceflight activity - including the launch of satellites and even people from UK soil. Spaceports have been an important sticking point.
Previous feasibility work has already identified a number of aerodromes that might make suitable spaceports - from Cornwall to Scotland.Previous feasibility work has already identified a number of aerodromes that might make suitable spaceports - from Cornwall to Scotland.
As the law stands, rocket planes and other launch systems currently in development around the world would not be able to operate out of the UK. But the Bill would sweep away the barrier by "enabling [scientists] to launch from UK soil". But as the law stands, rocket planes and other launch systems currently in development around the world would not be able to operate out of the UK. The Bill would sweep away this barrier by "enabling [scientists] to launch from UK soil".
The government says its legislation would "offer the UK's world-leading small satellite companies new options for low-cost, reliable access to space".The government says its legislation would "offer the UK's world-leading small satellite companies new options for low-cost, reliable access to space".
Overall, the legislation aims to "deliver a stronger economy by generating jobs and putting British business, engineering and science at the forefront of this technology".Overall, the legislation aims to "deliver a stronger economy by generating jobs and putting British business, engineering and science at the forefront of this technology".
It is also intended to secure continued growth of the space industry, which has been growing at an annual rate of 8% over the last decade. The sector already outperforms the UK economy as a whole.It is also intended to secure continued growth of the space industry, which has been growing at an annual rate of 8% over the last decade. The sector already outperforms the UK economy as a whole.
While Brexit will not affect the UK's status as a member of the European Space Agency (Esa), projects such as Galileo - the European sat-nav system - are largely funded by the EU.While Brexit will not affect the UK's status as a member of the European Space Agency (Esa), projects such as Galileo - the European sat-nav system - are largely funded by the EU.
Guildford-based satellite manufacturer SSTL is building satellites for the system as part of a UK-German consortium.Guildford-based satellite manufacturer SSTL is building satellites for the system as part of a UK-German consortium.
But there are restrictions on "third countries" working on classified EU information and technologies, which applies to Galileo.But there are restrictions on "third countries" working on classified EU information and technologies, which applies to Galileo.
There is now a concerted effort to keep the UK - and SSTL - inside the programme.There is now a concerted effort to keep the UK - and SSTL - inside the programme.
One key concern for industry is getting access to qualified staff. At the moment, engineers can move without restriction inside the EU, and the UK space sector's leaders have told government that if the ambitious target for future growth is to be achieved then the recruitment of talent from the continent must continue to be frictionless.One key concern for industry is getting access to qualified staff. At the moment, engineers can move without restriction inside the EU, and the UK space sector's leaders have told government that if the ambitious target for future growth is to be achieved then the recruitment of talent from the continent must continue to be frictionless.
Follow Paul on Twitter.Follow Paul on Twitter.