5-4-3-2-1…lift off for UK's space agency

BRITAIN'S own space agency took off yesterday, represented by the Union Flag morphed into a soaring arrow.

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UK astronaut Major Timothy Peake was there to add a bit of glamour. However, the focus was on the dry realities of economics.

Science minister Lord Drayson confessed he would "like to see human beings living on Mars", but Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said: "I think it is important to remember that, although it is cutting edge, this stuff is not sci-fi.

"It may start in space, but it comes down to Earth very quickly and is directly relevant to all our daily lives."

The UK Space Agency, our mini version of Nasa, will take overall responsibility for space activities, replacing the British National Space Centre (BNSC).

Operating initially from the BNSC's headquarters in Swindon, it will for the first time allow all aspects of civilian space policy to be handled "under one roof".

At present, space is the responsibility of a loose partnership of government departments and research councils. It is hoped the new agency will help Britain become more competitive in the global space economy, and make the most of the areas it excels in, such as satellites, telecommunications and robotics.

The industry already contributes about 6 billion a year to the economy and supports 68,000 jobs directly and indirectly. Over the next 20 years, it has the potential to grow to a 40 billion industry and create 100,000 jobs, Lord Drayson said.

"The action we're taking today shows that we're really serious about space," he said. "The UK Space Agency will give the sector the muscle it needs to fulfil its ambition."

Major Peake, a test pilot in the Army Air Corps, started a countdown to unveil the agency's "flying arrow" logo, displayed on a large screen at the Queen Elizabeth II conference centre in London. The astronaut is undergoing training in Russia before flying on missions to the International Space Centre. He was one of six Astronaut Corps recruits chosen by the European Space Agency (ESA) last year, and will be Britain's first "home grown" man in space.

Major Peake, who normally flies Apache attack helicopters, described the establishment of the UK Space Agency as "a very positive move".

He added: "I think it recognises the huge success story that the British space industry has been and sets the scene for us to take that success into the future.

"Britain has an enormous amount of talent in areas such as telecommunications and robots. It's extremely important that we do try to encourage our younger generations to take up these sorts of careers, and today goes a long way towards achieving this."

The UK Space Agency will officially begin operations on 1 April, with a modest operating budget of some 230 million. Nasa has a budget of about 12bn.

Germany, France and Italy also run their own space agencies as well as having ESA membership.

The UK agency's launch yesterday coincided with the creation of a 40m centre of "space excellence" at Harwell, Oxfordshire. The International Space Innovation Centre, funded by public and private investment, is supported by a 12m grant from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. It will work alongside the UK Space Agency to act as the "hub" of Britain's space interests.

A statement from the Space Innovation and Growth Team (Space IGT), a collaboration of industry chiefs, government representatives and academic experts, said: "It is hoped that the UK Space Agency will have the powers necessary to ensure our domestic industry realises its full potential on the world stage."