Contributing to the national conversation on UK space policy, SPARC's Dr Bleddyn Bowen, Associate Professor of Astropolitics, gave oral evidence to the UK Engagement with Space Committee.
We are living in a global space age - space systems now underpin almost every aspect of modern society, and the ability to disrupt them is advancing just as rapidly.
The UK is entirely dependent on the US for military-intelligence space services.
UK space policy needs to focus on a major national programme, rather than develop space capability by “listicle”, and spread resources too thinly across too many areas which is only appropriate for an R&D approach.
Greater engagement with the European Space Agency and EU is essential, and the only real alternative to complete dependency on the US.
Strong political leadership matters more than changes to policy structures when it comes to delivering capability.Dr Bowen’s contribution forms part of the Committee’s inquiry to examine how the UK engages internationally on space policy, and how this approach supports its strategic and economic interests in the fast-moving global space sector.
Watch the full session via Parlimentlive.tvPhoto credit: UK Parliament
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