As World Space Week draws to a close, the UK Space Agency highlights how space exploration advances key areas of policy, including the use of satellite data for climate monitoring, the development of international regulations for sustainable space use, and innovations in healthcare such as remote medical services and space-based research that informs public health strategies.
Paul Bate
CEO at UK Space AgencyIn 1999, the United Nations declared the seven days between the 4th and 10th October as an annual celebration known as World Space Week.
These dates are carefully chosen. On 4th October 1957, the world changed forever when the Soviet Union successfully launched Sputnik, the first human made satellite to orbit the earth.
Then, on October 10th, 1967, another important milestone occurred when the Outer Space Treaty was signed, an international agreement that established guidelines for the peaceful use and exploration of outer space. It continues to form the basis of space law today.
However, since the 1960s, space technology has evolved dramatically, advancing from rudimentary satellite launches to highly sophisticated systems that underpin modern communications, weather forecasting, and global navigation.
In fact, space has become so ingrained in our daily lives that its presence often goes unnoticed. You’re probably reading this on a device capable of sending or receiving data via satellite. If you checked the weather, made a financial transaction, or watched the news today, it’s very likely that a descendant of Sputnik was involved.
Space may be infinite, but it is also close to home. In fact, the International Space Station orbits the Earth at an altitude of around 400km, that’s about the same as the distance between Edinburgh and Manchester, or from Manchester to London.
Space and Climate Change
The theme of this year’s World Space Week was ‘Space and Climate Change’. Many attribute the birth of the environmental movement to a single photo taken by NASA astronaut Bill Anders on the Apollo 8 mission. It became known as ‘Earthrise’, as it shows our planet appearing above the horizon of the Moon. From this vantage point, Earth looks fragile as well as beautiful. It reminds us of what we risk losing if we fail to protect it.
Today, the majority of data that is used to generate climate models and inform global action against climate change comes from satellites. The only way to understand what is happening globally is from a vantage point high enough to see vast swathes of the Earth – this is what Earth observation satellites provide us with. Satellites measure ground temperatures, ocean temperatures, cloud formation, ice flows, forest cover and land use. They monitor the atmospheric composition of major greenhouse gases and track the movements of endangered species.
Space in the UK
The purpose of the UK Space Agency is simple – we’re here to boost UK prosperity, understand the Universe, and protect our planet and outer space.
We’re a relatively young space agency, established in 2010 at the birth of the new commercial space age – but we benefit from a rich heritage. The UK became the third nation to operate a satellite in 1961and co-founded the European Space Agency in 1975. We remain one of its leading member states today.
The UK space sector generates an income of £18.9 billion annually and employs 52,000 people. We attract more private investment in space than anywhere besides the US due to our range of technical expertise, vibrant commercial environment, modern regulatory framework, and long history of innovation and collaboration. Mckinsey & Co estimate that the global space sector will almost triple in size from where it was in 2023, growing to $1.8 trillion by 2035. It shows the scale of opportunity for the space sector to support the UK’s economic growth, innovation and industrial capability.
Through satellite data and services, we can help deliver reliable, sustainable transport networks, monitor the natural environment, inform the response to natural disasters, and close the digital divide by providing connectivity to rural and hard to reach areas, building more resilient and inclusive societies. Satellite imagery and remote sensing can be used to monitor environmental factors that impact public health, such as air quality and the spread of infectious diseases.
Space technology can revolutionise the way the NHS delivers its services, connecting hospitals, GP surgeries and first responders. Using microgravity, we can develop new materials and pharmaceuticals, improving treatments for conditions ranging from cancers to musculoskeletal disorders. In the unique environment of space, scientists can study cell growth, protein crystallisation, and other biological processes in ways that are impossible on Earth.
Space exploration can also ignite the imaginations of young people, inspiring them to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and to dream of possibilities beyond our planet.
But space itself is becoming increasingly contested and congested, so we are also working to improve the sustainability of space operations, remove space debris from orbit, and work with the international community, including the United Nations, to promote best practices and set new standards. This collaborative effort will safeguard the space environment for future generations.
World Space Week not only commemorates pivotal moments in the history of space exploration, but also serves as a great opportunity to learn more about how space benefits us today, and what future possibilities it holds.
For more of Curia’s analysis on the future of the UK Space sector, please click here.
