Launched today, Swindon is to be the new home of the UK Space agency.
To support it, the Space Agency will receive millions of pounds in funding from two already established research organisations in the town, The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson and Science Minister Lord Drayson announced the launch of the UK Space Agency.
The UK Space Agency will give the sector the muscle it needs to fulfil its ambition. Britain’s space industry has defied the recession. It can grow to £40bn a year and create 100,000 jobs in 20 years.
Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson, said: “The £6bn space industry is one of Britain’s real success stories. Year on year it provides more jobs both directly and indirectly to the UK workforce. This is exactly the kind of high value-added industry we need to support as we rebalance our economy, creating sustainable growth and the jobs of the future.”
Science and Innovation Minister, Lord Drayson, said: “The action we’re taking today shows that we’re really serious about space. The UK Space Agency will give the sector the muscle it needs to fulfil its ambition. Britain’s space industry has defied the recession. It can grow to £40bn a year and create 100,000 jobs in 20 years. The Government’s commitments on space will help the sector go from strength to strength.”
