The government has announced plans for an 18-month study that will see £92 million allocated from the £3 billion Brexit readiness fund to develop an independent satellite system, with the UK Space Agency leading the work alongside the Ministry of Defence.
A British Global Navigation Satellite System is now being considered, which would aim to meet the country’s security requirements and support its sovereign space and cryptography sectors. The engineering, design and development project will provide both civilian and encrypted signals, while being compatible with the US GPS system as well.
Satnav systems like GPS are becoming increasingly important for military, commercial and other critical applications, whether it’s guiding aircraft and ships to helping millions find their way as they drive from A to B. Government research suggests that sustained disruption to satellite navigation would cost our economy £1 billion a day.
The study will inform the decision to create a new system as an alternative to Galileo, a global navigation satellite system created by the European Union that aims to provide an independent positioning system so that EU nations don’t have to rely on US, Chinese or Russian systems which could be disabled by their operators at any time.
Greg Clark, business secretary, commented on the news, saying: “Britain is a world leader in the space industry and satellites. We are investing in an alternative option to Galileo to ensure our future security needs are met using the UK’s world-leading space sector.
“Our position on Galileo has been consistent and clear. We have repeatedly highlighted the specialist expertise we bring to the project and the risks in time delays and cost increases that the European Commission is taking by excluding UK industry.
“Britain has the skills, expertise and commitment to create our own sovereign satellite system and I am determined that we take full advantage of the opportunities this brings, backed by our modern Industrial Strategy.”
This comes after a new National Aerospace Research Consortium was launched, with the aim being to set up a nationwide infrastructure of integrated and accessible research facilities to support four pillars of technology: aircraft of the future, future propulsion, smart, connected and electric aircraft of the future, and aero structures of the future.
And Theresa May also recently pledged additional investment for the aerospace industry, offering more than £300 million of industry and government money for several projects, including research on more environmentally friendly aircraft.
Speaking at the Farnborough Airshow, she went on to say that her plan for Brexit would also secure millions of sector jobs here in the UK.
Funding is also set to be made available for two new spaceports, one in Cornwall and one in Scotland. Not only that but a commitment has been made to build a new high-tech fighter aircraft set that’s designed to replace the Eurofighter Typhoon.
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