Access to space from UK spaceports. A brief guide to the UK Spaceflight Programme

Transcription

1 Access to space from UK spaceports A brief guide to the UK Spaceflight Programme

2 Spaceflight Programme delivery organisations: Images by: UK Space Agency (cover & Icons) Docubyte (Featured images) Unsplash (All others) Airborne Engineering: STOIC engine test rig

3 The time is right for space launch from the UK The sky has never been the limit for the UK s scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs. Since the dawn of the space age, the UK has been at the forefront of development and discovery. We were the third spacefaring nation, jointly founded the European Space Agency and pioneered commercial satellite technology. Today we bear the fruit of this early commitment to space. Our satellite industry is among the best in the world, we are a hub for space science and innovation and lead the way in new commercial satellite applications and services. Our challenge is to ensure this track record continues, matching industry ambition with government action and overcoming significant barriers to growth. The global shortage of dedicated small satellite launches is one such barrier that the UK is in a strong position to translate into an opportunity. The case for change is persuasive, which is why the UK Space Agency, Department for Transport and Civil Aviation Authority are working together to deliver a national spaceflight programme, backed by 50m of funding through the UK government s modern Industrial Strategy. Working with the space and aerospace sectors, we will empower commercial providers to open the first direct routes to space from British soil. This will unlock an estimated 3.8bn opportunity out to 2030 and further demonstrate that the UK is the best place on Earth to start and grow a space business. Graham Turnock CEO UK Space Agency

4 Commercial access to space is important for the UK Our space sector is thriving but limited access to space is a barrier to growth that we can overcome From banking to transport, health to agriculture, public services to entertainment, satellite data is enabling our economy, enriching our society and empowering our country. As our economy grows, this data will be important to help contextualise, connect and create new products and services. It will sit at the heart of new technology like driverless cars. Companies need access to space to develop new satellite services. This has historically only been possible via publicly funded launch services. Advances in technology are driving a boom in increasingly capable, small, low-cost satellites which can operate in large constellations and have the potential to deliver new commercial services to global markets. We are seeing record levels of investment in this and new vehicles for sub-orbital flight. The UK has a thriving space sector generating 13.7bn of annual income and supporting 250bn of UK GDP. It outperforms many areas of the wider economy, but UK companies and researchers rely on launch services based overseas to deploy their instruments, satellites and science into space. This is a critical dependency that fractures our space value chain. Fixing this fracture will allow the UK to compete across the global space economy and boost launch supply. Domestic access to space would also provide the UK s scientific community, for whom space is an invaluable but largely inaccessible research environment, with new opportunities for exploration and discovery. It could also accelerate the exploitation of revolutionary future spaceflight technologies. With public investment in the UK space industry returning an average 6 of benefit for every 1 invested, spurring investment in launch offers strong value-for-money, space sector growth and spill-over benefits for years to come.

5 UK companies pioneered small satellite technology, but getting this technology into space can be difficult Surrey Satellite Technology: A satellite under construction

6 There is a growing opportunity for UK spaceports The UK can access a market for small satellite launch worth an estimated 3.8bn out to 2030 Demand for launch into low earth orbit currently outstrips supply, with many small satellite missions waiting for a ride into space. This trend is set to continue, as plans for thousands of new satellites are realised over the next decade. Today, most launches into space are designed around the needs of large satellites that weigh several tons. Smaller satellites, which can vary in size from that of a Rubik s Cube to a washing machine, rely on securing leftover space on these large satellite launches or being deployed as part of a large group (which can be 100+) of other small satellites. As the number of small satellites increases, so does the need for responsive, dedicated and flexible launch services to support them. Globally, this opportunity is worth an estimated 15bn out to 2030, and over 40 dedicated launch services are being developed to capture a share of this market, with some in commercial operation. The UK government recognised in the Industrial Strategy that we are well placed to host commercial launch services within an open domestic market, serviced by the UK s thriving space sector. The global market share addressable by UK based launch providers is an estimated 3.8bn from 2021 to This is based on commercial customers alone; government and military custom boosts this further. The UK could also host a market for sub-orbital flight, catering for tourists and researchers trying to reach a low gravity environment. Although this market is still in its infancy, there are a number of companies developing new suborbital flight services and it holds exciting future possibilities. UK based sub-orbital flight could support the development of future spaceplane operations that will be powered by innovative propulsion technologies such as Reaction Engines SABRE.

7 Launching small satellites into space is an estimated 3.8bn opportunity for the UK Clyde Space: Cubesat

8 We are positioned for success in this market The UK is an attractive destination to grow commercial launch operations and sub-orbital flight services Geography Location is important to launch providers who seek the most efficient routes to orbit to maximise the size of the payload they can carry into space. Launching rockets north from the UK allows access to in-demand polar and sunsynchronous orbits. Our extensive coastal aerodrome infrastructure could also support multiple horizontal launch sites across the UK, providing flexible launch opportunities. Industry Overseas providers actively considering UK launch will continue a trend of inward investment into the UK s space sector. Businesses are attracted by our open infrastructure, such as the National Satellite Test Facility, and our world-leading satellite and aerospace sectors. The UK s pioneering role in the development of smaller and more capable satellites is attractive to companies seeking to access our wealth of talent in space engineering, science and business. Regulation and licensing The UK has already put in place the Space Industry Act and is moving forward with underpinning legislation to develop modern, safe and business friendly spaceflight regulation and a single point of access for licensing. This will help responsible operators develop safe, sustainable and costeffective spaceflight operations. International relations Any European launch or spaceflight activity depends on collaboration across borders. The UK s international relationships and reputation for high regulatory standards will help us to secure the agreements necessary to support a domestic spaceflight market and promote it in a competitive global marketplace. Government commitment This programme is being delivered in partnership by the UK Space Agency, Department for Transport and Civil Aviation Authority, supported by the Health and Safety Executive.

9 The UK has the geography, industry and infrastructure to become the best place in Europe to access and do business in space Rutherford Appleton Laboratory: Thermal vacuum chamber

10 The Spaceflight Programme seizes this opportunity We need to act quickly to capture a share of the commercial launch market and grow UK capabilities New space launch businesses face high barriers to entry. A national spaceflight programme can help overcome these through grant funding, international engagement and regulation. Commercial access to space is an emerging and globally competitive environment, where government investment is the norm to foster the development of new technologies. With global spaceports competing to attract launch operators, the UK must work quickly to prove our capability and competitiveness. Government intervention can help catalyse the development of launch vehicles, spaceports, supply chains and related services in the UK, empowered by new businessfriendly spaceflight legislation. With current high levels of interest in UK launch sites (7+ sites have commercial spaceport ambitions) there has never been a better time to stimulate growth in this market. The UK is currently in a competitive position in Europe. We are the first country to pass modern spaceflight legislation, the first to start work on modern spaceflight regulation and the first to offer open market incentives to establish UK launch. By bringing this activity together in a national spaceflight programme we will foster exciting innovation, accelerate the creation of high skill and high wage jobs and the development of new infrastructure and strengthen the case for the UK as the top destination in Europe to start and grow a space business. This will create new opportunities to attract firms and foreign investment to the UK, strengthen our international relationships and inspire the next generation of talent and technology to further our space ambitions.

11 Our national spaceflight programme will create jobs, develop new skills and infrastructure and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers Surrey Satellite Technology: Anti-static cords

12 Our vision A world-leading market growing the UK space economy through regular, reliable and responsible access to space 2010s We will create the conditions necessary to establish a flourishing commercial market for access to space from UK spaceports. We are already the first country in Europe to put in place new spaceflight laws designed for the commercial space age. Commercially attractive regulation and an innovative business friendly licensing system will be developed in partnership with the sector. International launch operators and investors will be attracted to the UK, through positive international relationships, enabling agreements and compelling opportunities. Spaceflight operations will start to mature in the UK, supported by the development of new supply chains and a growing pool of launch talent and innovative technology. 2020s Maturing spaceflight supply chains, regulators and industrial capability are helping the UK space sector to capture an increasing share of the global launch market. 2030s UK spaceflight supply chains and services are sought after for their world class reputation, and the support they are providing to UK space science and discovery. 2040s+ The UK leads commercial access to space for small satellites and is home to game changing spaceplane technology.

13 Developing the market for spaceflight in the UK will pave the way for the adoption of revolutionary technologies Reaction Engines: The Synergetic Air-Breathing Rocket Engine (SABRE)

14 How we will achieve this vision The Spaceflight Programme will grow our space economy by enabling and encouraging businesses to build a sustainable commercial market. We will do this through four projects: Incentivising the market We will use funding, outreach and industry engagement to enable UK companies to compete for this emerging market opportunity. We will help UK companies and investors to build on our strengths and global outlook by offering grants to grow UK spaceflight capabilities, innovative services and components. We will use the LaunchUK brand to promote UK launch services overseas and will deliver education and outreach to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers, helping to grow new skills and technology Engaging internationally We will work with our international partners to build support for companies to export to and operate launch from the UK. We will make the UK more attractive to international entrepreneurs and companies who want to set-up operations here, as well as supporting the UK to respond effectively to future opportunities in the market For the latest information visit gov.uk and search: commercial spaceflight - 2/3 - Legislation and regulation The UK government has already put in place the Space Industry Act 2018, which allows us to develop the regulations needed to ensure spaceflight from UK spaceports is safe and managed responsibly. We recognise the need for a modern approach to safe, responsible and commercial space regulation and are working closely with industry to develop this. We plan to publish and consult on the detailed regulations in We are also developing a business-friendly licensing service, fit for purpose in the commercial space age.

15 Our achievements so far: The Space Industry Act 2018 world leading spaceflight legislation Establishing a 50m Industrial Strategy funded Spaceflight Programme Attracting a strong field of 26 proposals to kick-start UK operations A UK-wide roadshow to share our plans and engage industry UK and US working toward bilateral treaty on technology safeguards Our current focus: Drafting and consulting on our secondary legislation Developing licensing and regulatory capabilities Starting work with pathfinder grant recipients to realise their proposals Supporting all potential UK launch providers and spaceports Engaging with our international partners On the horizon: A further LaunchUK event to announce further plans and exchange ideas Calls for proposals to develop UK spaceflight demand and value chain Outreach and education to inspire future scientists and engineers Goonhilly Earth Station: Radio Telescope

16 Frequently Asked Questions What is a small satellite? A small satellite is an unmanned spacecraft that orbits our planet sending signals to Earth for a variety of commercial and scientific uses. Satellites can weigh many tons, but the UK has pioneered popular smaller systems that cost less to build and launch. How will spaceports benefit the UK? Spaceflight will fuel economic growth and scientific discovery by making it easier to access space and unlocking a 3.8bn market opportunity for small satellite launch. Spaceports will also help to create new high skilled jobs and develop the UK s infrastructure and skills. When will the first launch take place and how often will there be launches? This will be determined by the emerging market and the firms supplying launch services. It is too soon to be specific, but we aim to enable regular commercial launches from the early 2020s. What will the impact be on the environment? Government has been very clear that spaceflight activities must not unduly impact the environment. We take this very seriously. All UK launch operations must submit an assessment of environmental effects of their proposed activity prior to being granted a licence and comply with existing environmental and planning legislation. Will launches be safe? Operators will be required to hold a licence before carrying out small satellite launch or sub-orbital flight. This licence will require operators to meet safety conditions, building on the strong track record the UK has of regulating complex industries such as aviation. Where will the first launches take place from? This will depend on launch operators. The Spaceflight Programme will support pathfinder projects at potential UK launch sites but we also welcome plans from other sites looking to develop into spaceports. Will I be able to fly into space from UK spaceports? Not into orbit, but we are working to enable sub-orbital flight by operators who could offer short tourist or research flights into space. Oxford Space Systems: Parabolic Antenna