The Government has unveiled a new UK Space Strategy backed by £7.8 billion of investment to 2030, placing national security, satellite communications and Britain's ability to respond to threats in orbit at the heart of its plans.
Published on Tuesday, the strategy brings the Government's space investment and activity under a single plan covering defence, economic growth, scientific research and the technologies increasingly relied upon in everyday life.
Ministers say space is becoming an increasingly important arena for both economic and military competition, with British satellites and space-based services supporting communications, navigation, defence and critical infrastructure.
£880m for space control and intelligence
Among the largest security commitments is £880 million for space control and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
The Government says the funding will support technologies capable of tracking military activity on Earth as well as detecting potential attacks against satellites, allowing Britain to respond more rapidly to threats against UK and allied assets.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said Britain's national security now depended on its freedom of action in space and, where necessary, its ability to protect UK and allied space assets.
More than £3 billion of defence investment will support Britain's military capabilities in space as threats in orbit become increasingly sophisticated.
£2.8bn for satellite connectivity
A further £2.8 billion will be directed towards strengthening satellite connectivity.
This includes the Connectivity in Low Earth Orbit programme and the SKYNET defence communications programme, which provides satellite communications for the Armed Forces and allies around the world.
The Government also intends to design a resilient, integrated national satellite communications system, bringing together its approach to buying and developing space technology.
Ministers say the investment should also deliver civilian benefits, including improved connectivity in rural areas and fewer mobile signal dropouts on trains.
UK to improve detection of threats in orbit
The strategy includes £85 million for the National Space Operations Centre as Britain expands its ability to monitor satellites, rockets and debris orbiting the Earth.
A further £149 million will support the European Space Agency's Vigil mission.
The Government says the programmes will improve early warning of potential satellite collisions, hostile activity and solar storms capable of disrupting communications, power and navigation systems.
Britain seeks greater ability to launch satellites
The strategy allocates £148 million to European rocket programmes and £30 million to SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland.
Assured access to space is one of four priority areas identified by the Government alongside satellite communications, space domain awareness and in-orbit servicing, assembly and manufacturing.
£40m for repairing and maintaining satellites in orbit
Another £40 million will support technologies designed to service, assemble and manufacture equipment in orbit.
That could eventually allow satellites damaged by debris, solar storms or hostile interference to be repaired and maintained in space while also helping to remove dangerous objects from orbit.
Science and Mars Rover funding
The package also includes £163 million for space science and exploration missions, including delivery of the British-built Rosalind Franklin Mars Rover.
UK Research and Innovation will provide £190 million for astronomy and space science research, while the Met Office will receive £9 million to strengthen space weather forecasting.
The Department for Transport is contributing £57 million towards work intended to improve rail connectivity using satellite technology.
Government targets £18.6bn UK space industry
The Government says Britain's space sector is already worth £18.6 billion and supports more than 55,000 skilled jobs.
Business, Innovation, Science and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the strategy would help British companies take advantage of the economic opportunities created by the growing global space industry while strengthening national security.
Strategy replaces 2021 plan
The new UK Space Strategy formally replaces the National Space Strategy published in 2021.
For the first time, ministers say the Government will take a single approach to buying and developing space technology, beginning with satellite communications.
The £7.8 billion figure represents the Government's overall space investment backing the strategy through to 2030, rather than a single new £7.8 billion spending announcement made on Tuesday.
The strategy marks a significant shift towards treating space not simply as an area of scientific and commercial activity, but as a domain in which Britain must be able to detect and respond to threats against infrastructure increasingly critical to everyday life and national defence.