The strategy combines previously separate activity across defence, science, transport and industry through 2030. It also sets out plans for an integrated national satellite communications system designed to be more resilient to disruption.
Britain will invest £880 million in space control and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. The funding will support systems that monitor military activity on Earth and detect potential attacks against satellites.
A further £2.8 billion will go towards connectivity, including the Connectivity in Low Earth Orbit and SKYNET defence communications programmes. SKYNET provides secure communications for British forces operating around the world.
The same investment is expected to support civilian connectivity in rural areas and reduce mobile signal interruptions on trains. The government is seeking to use common satellite infrastructure to meet both national-security and public-service requirements.
Space Domain Awareness is another core element of the plan, reflecting concern about congestion and hostile activity in orbit. The government has allocated £149 million to the European Space Agency’s Vigil mission and £85 million to the National Space Operations Centre.
Those projects will monitor satellites, rockets and debris while providing earlier warnings of collisions, solar storms and potentially hostile actions. The data will help protect services including power networks, communications and navigation.
“This space strategy recognises that our national security depends on our freedom of action in space and, if necessary, the ability to protect UK and allied space assets,” Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said. “As threats in orbit grow more sophisticated, so must our ability to detect and respond to them, ensuring we protect the interests of the UK and allies while fuelling economic growth along the way.”
“Backed by the Defence Investment Plan, we’re investing more than £3 billion to ensure our defence capabilities in space keep pace with the threats we face, supporting reindustrialisation and creating opportunities here in the UK,” Streeting added. The plan links military requirements with the government’s wider industrial strategy.
For the first time, departments will use a common approach to buying and developing space technology, starting with satellite communications. The government expects the change to speed up delivery, improve value and direct more work towards British suppliers.
“As space becomes a new frontier of economic and military competition, this plan will help keep Britain secure by strengthening our ability to launch satellites, detect threats and protect the services people rely on every day,” Business, Innovation, Science and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said. “At the same time, this plan will enable our excellent UK industry to seize the boundless opportunities of this new age in space, creating skilled jobs, driving growth and improving connectivity for all of us.”
Britain’s space sector is valued at £18.6 billion and supports more than 55,000 skilled jobs. The strategy aims to expand that industrial base through government procurement, research funding and launch infrastructure.
The package includes £148 million for European rocket programmes and £30 million for SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland. Another £163 million will fund science and exploration missions, including the UK-built Rosalind Franklin Mars Rover.
The government will also spend £40 million on in-orbit servicing, assembly and manufacturing. These technologies are intended to repair and maintain satellites, address orbital debris and support manufacturing in space.
Additional funding includes £190 million for astronomy and space-science research, £57 million to improve rail connectivity and £9 million for space-weather forecasting. The strategy replaces the National Space Strategy published in 2021 and will support delivery of the government’s Modern Industrial Strategy.
Regulatory changes will accompany the investment programme in an effort to lower costs and attract private capital. The measures include revised liability limits and waivers for certain in-orbit servicing and lunar missions launched before the end of 2030.
