Space advocates in the UK finally got something Thursday they had long sought: a national space agency. Minister for Science Innovation Lord Drayson announced the plans for the space agency Thursday at the Rutherford Appleton Space Conference. The “bureaucracy busting agency” will bring together a number of government departments and other offices and was billed as a way to further growth of the country’s space sector. Many other details about the new agency, though, including its name, budget, and exactly when it will be stood up, weren’t announced (the BBC reports that the government will use a competition to select a name and logo).
Things aren’t looking so rosy in Japan, where the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is getting a “frosty reception” from the new government, the Financial Times reports. The Democratic Party of Japan, which took power after national elections this fall, is reportedly concerned about “unclear costing” and “vague risk assessments” of JAXA programs, despite a number of recent successes, such as the H-2B rocket and HTV cargo spacecraft. The government is recommending a 10-percent cut for JAXA, which agency officials fear could jeopardize their commitments to supporting the ISS.
My wife and I are going through the delightful “Yes Minister” series (as well as Spooks from the start)…somehow I am having a smile this morning thinking of “Jim Hacker MP” taking over the new agency…with Sir Humphrey moving over to permanent under secretary. Bernard of course would join them.
Yes minister
Robert G. Oler
As a UK Space Fan I am reserving judgement until it is clear that substantial new money is being put in, or is it just a re-branding exercise ?
I would add that in the Parliamentary Select Committee on Science and Technology (Seventh report) it states that “If current levels of expenditure in space persist, the Government should not establish a space agency”. Fingers crossed for more cash.
Mark M