UK urged to expand co-operation on space policy

The UK should broaden its co-operation in space policy beyond Europe, according to a report published today.

The UK Space Agency must seek to take advantage of Nasa's international co-operative programmes, which the UK has failed to do in the past, according to the study for the Economic Policy Centre.

The Commonwealth states, such as Australia, Canada and India, all have areas of space expertise which the UK could successfully co-operate on, says author Jim Bennett, a space expert with more than 30 years of experience in the industry.

Australia has extensive launch ranges, Canada has expertise in radar imaging satellites, and India has across-the-board capabilities including launch vehicles, satellites and now interplanetary probes, he said.

Mr Bennett, president of Wyoming Aerospace LLC, added: "You don't need astronauts to have a successful space programme. The New Space environment now offers British entrepreneurs, financiers and scientists to take a seat at the main table on their own terms."

He added: "Britain has networks of close ties, experiences and mutual trust not just in one direction but in three: Europe, the USA and the Commonwealth.

"It should seek to maintain its existing productive ties with Europe, exploit the ease of business between the US and Britain to develop New Space entrepreneurship, and enhance its co-operation with the often-underestimated capabilities of Canada, Australia, and India."