Space
About the Space Policy Unit
Launched on 23 April 2019 by the US Secretary of the Air Force, Hon Heather Wilson, and UK Science Minister Chris Skidmore, Policy Exchange’s new Space Policy Unit is the first of its kind at any UK think tank. Its mission is to champion a comprehensive development of UK “space power” as a critical component of the UK national interest in the 21st century. Our goal is to help lift Britain’s space ambitions to the next level, and help build a strong, exciting vision for UK in space that can be taken up by Government and Parliament in the years ahead.
There is a significant disconnect between Britain’s current global standing as a P5 and G7 military (including cyber) and economic power and its comparatively limited sovereign capabilities (and public investment) in space. Our Space Policy Unit will take a 360-degree approach to this challenge. Apart from the cornerstone aspects of space defence and security, our work programme will also consider the economic/industrial policy requirements for building a strong national space programme, exploring the way Britain can best contribute to the shaping of international norms in space and use its evolving space power in support of its global interests and those of its allies.
The new Unit is led by Gabriel Elefteriu, Policy Exchange’s Head of Space Policy, and looks to engage with partners from across industry, government, academia and the not-for-profit sector. Read more about our approach in Gabriel’s op-ed in The Times here.
Latest Publications
Modernising the United Kingdom
Jack Airey, Gabriel Elefteriu, Sir Stephen Laws, Warwick Lightfoot, Benedict McAleenan, Rupert Reid and Jan ZeberUnleashing the power of the Union – ideas for new leadership
Space: What do we want from the next Prime Minister?
Gabriel ElefteriuWhat do we want from the next Prime Minister on Space Policy?
Latest Blogs
The High Stakes of Space Power
Space power will become as significant in shaping human affairs as geopolitical power. (Originally published in the New Delhi Sunday Guardian)
Britain’s vital strategic interests in space
Space professionals in the UK have been let down by governments who fail to grasp the importance of space. This has to change.
India thinks space power status requires offensive military space capabilities – and may be right
Linking space power with offensive capabilities reflects wider trends in global strategic affairs.
Latest News
Policy Exchange launches Space Policy Unit
The UK should consider setting up a new Space Council “along the same lines as the USA”, according to Chris Skidmore, Science Minister, in order to help create a “joined up government policy towards space”.
Latest Events
Upcoming Events
- Monday, 10 May, 2021
15:00 - 16:00
In post only since March this year, Dr Aschbacher has taken charge of the European Space Agency (ESA) at a critical time, particularly with negotiations over the agency’s next multi-annual budget set to begin next year. In this address at Policy Exchange – his first as ESA Director General to a UK audience – Dr Aschbacher outlined his vision for the ESA and discussed how the agency can best serve UK’s interests.
- Tuesday, 16 July, 2019
13:30 - 14:30
A keynote speech by Chris Skidmore MP, Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation. Followed by a panel on ‘Space Policy: What do we want from the next Prime Minister’ with, Lucy Edge, COO and Executive Director, Satellite Applications Catapult, David Morris MP, Chair, Parliamentary Space Committee, Graham Peters, Chair, UKSpace, Rt. Hon. Lord Willetts, Former Minister for Universities and Science, and Dr Graham Turnock, Chief Executive, UK Space Agency
- Tuesday, 23 April, 2019
11:00 - 12:30
The launch of our new Space Policy Unit and a discussion on the role of space power in the 21st century with Heather Wilson, US Secretary of the Air Force
- Wednesday, 9 May, 2018
12:30 - 14:00
The Government has chosen the space industry as one of the first six key challenges to be targeted by the new Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, with £100 million of funding for a new National Satellite Testing Facility. At the same time, the Government has launched a new series of grants to support the development of new spaceports, while the Space Industry Act aims to reduce regulatory barriers to commercial spaceflight.
