Lift off for UK Space sector

Following last year’s announcement that the UK will be investing nearly £200 million in the space sector, it’s no surprise that Space is one of the key themes of the Farnborough Airshow. And amid all the excitement surrounding this growing industry is Thales Alenia Space UK, the latest addition to the Thales Alenia Space family.

The future is bright

Based in Harwell, Oxfordshire - the Silicon Valley of space-based activity and the home of the European Space Agency (ESA) in the UK - Thales Alenia Space UK is very optimistic about the future of the industry in Britain. The sector has seen perennial growth over the last decade and contributes over £9 billion to the British economy every year. This is set to continue with the commercialisation of the space industry and the increasing impact it’s having on our day-to-day lives. Most of us will have used some form of satellite navigation system to make our way to the Airshow today or checked the weather in Farnborough to know whether to bring wellies or a sunhat (or both!).

However, evolution in the space industry hinges on government patronage. The British Government’s endorsement of the Innovation and Growth Strategy 2014-2030: Space Growth Action Plan is a giant leap forward for Space in the UK, which has now been highlighted as one of the key eight technologies in Britain. Martin Gee, CEO Thales Alenia Space UK, says: “Our decision to come to the UK was motivated by the UK government’s work and has been supported by concrete actions to bolster the development of activities in the short term.”

A global player

Defining a central Civil Space Strategy and National Space Security Policy has also cemented the UK as an increasingly influential player in the international space sector and a strong leader in Europe. As such, the UK Government has set local space industry a challenge - to capture ten per cent of the growing world market that is set to be worth £400 billion by 2030. Thales Alenia Space UK is confident that the British footprint can be extended globally through close collaboration with the UK Space Agency (UKSA), the UK supply chain and academic institutions, taking advantage of the unique capabilities the UK can offer.

Investing locally

Nationally, Thales Alenia Space UK is committed to contributing to the £40 billion growth target for the UK space sector by 2030. The recent acquisition of the space activities of Bristol-based SEA, part of Cohort plc, strengthens the capability of Thales Alenia Space UK and complements the strategy for developing a long-term footprint in the UK. Thales Alenia Space UK is also committed to creating jobs and developing space-based capabilities to support the provision of vital services for the British economy and national security. Jean-Loïc Galle, President and CEO of Thales Alenia Space, adds: “Thales Alenia Space UK is in working order to support the UK Space Agency and aspire to reinforce its development in advanced space technologies.”

With the global space market set to more than double in the next two decades and UKSA creating the right conditions to stimulate expansion in the UK, it is an exciting time for everyone in Space. Thales Alenia Space is proud to now be part of the UK Space sector and is hoping to play a key role in driving growth forward with exciting new technologies.

To meet our team and find out more about Thales Alenia Space and its subsidiaries, visit Thales pavilion S1 throughout the Farnborough Airshow.