UK Unveils £7.8 Billion Space Strategy Centred on Defence and Satellite Communications

The UK government launched a new national space strategy on Tuesday, backed by a record £7.8 billion to 2030, that unites investment in growth, defence, and national security under a single plan. The strategy treats space as an increasingly important domain for national security and includes plans to design a resilient, integrated national satellite communications system.

The strategy formally replaces the previous National Space Strategy published in 2021 and will support delivery of the Modern Industrial Strategy aimed at reindustrialising the UK. Alongside the strategy, the government is reforming space regulations to reduce costs, reward responsible operators, and make it easier for UK firms to invest in missions ranging from satellite servicing to lunar exploration.

Defence and security form the core pillars. The government is committing £880 million to strengthen space control and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, funding technologies that can track military activity on the ground and potential attacks on satellites. A further £2.8 billion will go towards connectivity, including the Connectivity in Low Earth Orbit and SKYNET defence communications programmes that keep the Armed Forces connected worldwide. Space Domain Awareness work is backed by £149 million for the European Space Agency's Vigil mission and £85 million for the National Space Operations Centre, offering earlier warnings of collisions, hostile activity, and solar storms.

The strategy also funds broader sector activity, including £148 million for European rocket programmes, £30 million for SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland, and £163 million for space science and exploration missions such as the Rosalind Franklin Mars Rover built in Stevenage. Additional support includes £40 million for in-orbit servicing, assembly and manufacturing technologies, £57 million from the Department for Transport for rail connectivity, £190 million from UK Research and Innovation for astronomy and space science, and £9 million from the Met Office for space weather forecasting. For the first time, government will take a single approach to buying and developing space technology, starting with satellite communications. The strategy aims to support a UK space sector worth £18.6 billion and over 55,000 skilled jobs.

Business, Innovation, Science and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the plan will help keep Britain secure by strengthening its ability to launch satellites, detect threats, and protect everyday services, while enabling UK industry to seize opportunities and improve connectivity. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said national security depends on freedom of action in space and, if necessary, the ability to protect UK and allied space assets, adding that more than £3 billion is being invested through the Defence Investment Plan to keep defence capabilities in space in step with growing threats. Doug Liddle, Chair of UKspace, welcomed the strategy as a constructive path towards a refreshed approach. Kevin Craven, CEO of the ADS Group, said certainty allows the sector to make long-term commitments and signals intent to international partners. Space Academic Network co-chairs Anna Hogg and Mark Sims welcomed the integrated delivery plan.

Industry figures pointed to the next steps for implementation. ADS said it looks forward to supporting government on the crucial next steps, while SPAN said it awaits the detail of the strategy and delivery plan. The single government approach to procurement will begin with satellite communications.