ESA has also committed to the Rosalind Franklin Mars Rover to be launched in 2028. This will provide significant boost to the UK manufacturing sector, which has played a leading role in the rover’s development.
The United Kingdom takes leadership roles
The UK has committed £315 million in Earth observation and climate programmes, utilising funds pledged two years ago for the delayed Copernicus programme and will take a leading role in projects combatting climate change.
£111 million has been secured to improve space safety and security. The UK will lead on the Vigil space weather mission, which will deploy a probe to point L5 in deep space to monitor space weather, and on satellite climate measurement standards, through funding for the TRUTHS mission.
The UK will also use this funding to lead in space sustainability management, satellite maintenance and satellite retrieval. A recent white paper by the Paris Peace Forum confirmed the UK had some of the most comprehensive regulations promoting space sustainability in Europe, giving the UK a secure position to take the lead in this sector.
It's not just in sustainability where Britain is taking a leading role. More than £206 million has been secured for programmes related to telecommunications. This money will help continue the successes of the Harwell European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications’ work into improving 5G efficiency and to explore 6G connectivity, alongside aiding the deployment of Low Earth Orbit satellite constellations. Part of the £217 million of investment towards supporting the global exploration programme will include commercial lunar communications systems, supporting the Artemis Moon programme.
Benefits for the UK space sector
George Freeman MP, the Minister for Science, Research and Innovation, said of the meeting’s outcomes that:
“These new investments will support the ongoing growth of the UK space and commercial satellite sector - creating new jobs around the UK from Cornwall to the North of Scotland - and securing UK leadership in space sustainability. They will put our scientists and engineers at the forefront of some of the world’s most important missions and programmes which drive transformational innovation.”
George Freeman MP
Minister for Science, Research & Innovation
The £315 million committed to Earth observation will also provide a welcome relief for an unstable sector, which has been hit by the two year delay of the Copernicus programme.
The next generation of UK Astronauts
CM22 also saw three Astronauts from the United Kingdom selected as ESA Astronauts. John McFall became the first openly disabled person to be selected for Astronaut training in history, as part of an ESA initiative. Rosemary Coogan joined the ESA’s Astronaut class to become the third Astronaut from the UK, and Meganne Christian became a member of the ESA Astronaut Reserve.
Sophie Greaves
Head of Telecoms and Spectrum Policy, techUK
Sophie Greaves
Head of Telecoms and Spectrum Policy, techUK
Sophie Greaves is Head of Programme for Communications Infrastructure and Services at techUK, and oversees the UK Spectrum Policy Forum.
Sophie was promoted to Head having been Programme Manager for Communications Infrastructure and Services, leading techUK's telecoms activities, engagement and policy development. Previously, Sophie was Programme Assistant across a variety of areas including the Broadband Stakeholder Group, Central Government, Financial Services and Communications Infrastructure programmes.
Prior to joining techUK, Sophie completed a masters in Film Studies at University College London; her dissertation examined US telecoms policy relating to net neutrality and content distribution.
Jaynesh Patel is Head of Telecoms and Spectrum Policy, leading the Communications Infrastructure and Services Programme at techUK and overseeing the UK Spectrum Policy Forum.
Jaynesh has extensive experience in the sector, having worked for CityFibre (a full fibre broadband company) and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) on digital infrastructure policy. Most recently Jaynesh led on policy and public affairs in the UK and Ireland for ChargePoint (an EV charging network).
Prior to this Jaynesh worked in the Cabinet Office for more than five years, including over two years at the Government Digital Service (GDS) supporting the digital transformation of UK Government.
Jaynesh has a BSc (Hons) in Economics from the London School of Economics (LSE).
Tales has a background in law and economics, with previous experience in the regulation of new technologies and infrastructure.
In the UK and Europe, he offered consultancy on intellectual property rights of cellular and IoT technologies and on the regulatory procedures at the ITU as a Global Fellow at the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI).
Tales has an LL.M in Law and Business by the Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV) and an MSc in Regulation at the London School of Economics, with a specialization in Government and Law.
Matthew joined techUK in August 2023 as a Programme Assistant, supporting the Communications Infrastructure programme, as well as the Digital Connectivity and Spectrum Policy Fora.
Before joining techUK, Matthew worked in marketing, data, and events across a number of sectors, including education and consumer goods. He studied German and Dutch at University College London and the Universiteit van Amsterdam.
Today's announcement looks to fund next generation of satellite communications development and boost the UK’s leadership in the global satellite market.
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