UK launches £7.8 billion space strategy to boost security and growth

The United Kingdom has launched a new national space strategy backed by £7.8 billion in investment through 2030. The plan aims to integrate government activity across defense, science, and industry to drive economic growth and bolster national security.

Key funding priorities include £2.8 billion for satellite connectivity, supporting programs like SKYNET and Connectivity in Low Earth Orbit to improve both military communications and civilian services such as rural internet and mobile signals on trains. The strategy also allocates £880 million for space control, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance to monitor military activity and protect against satellite attacks.

To enhance Space Domain Awareness, the government is investing £149 million in the European Space Agency’s Vigil mission and £85 million in the National Space Operations Centre to track orbital debris, rockets, and potential hostile activity. Additionally, £30 million will support the SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland to strengthen the UK’s domestic launch capabilities.

Business and Defence Secretaries Jonathan Reynolds and Wes Streeting stated the strategy is designed to help the UK industry seize opportunities in an increasingly competitive space frontier while ensuring the protection of allied space assets.