Third time lucky for National Space Strategy
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson pictured with the LauncherOne rocket from Virgin Orbit. (Photo: 10 Downing Street)
Following two delayed publication dates, the UK has finally released its National Space Strategy.
The UK government launched its much-anticipated (but twice-delayed) National Space Strategy (NSS) on 27 September.
This new vision aims to help grow a multibillion-pound space industry in the UK, boost private investment and capitalise on UK strengths such as satellite manufacturing.
The aim is to bring together civil and defence space activities to combat emerging international threats such as cyber-attacks and anti-satellite missiles, as well as to protect UK interests at home and abroad.
A Defence Space Strategy is to be published, which the UK government stated will ‘integrate current and planned capability management activities’.
Defence-related UK space investment will include about £5 billion ($6.85 billion) over the next decade to enhance SATCOM (mainly via Skynet 6) and a further £1.4 billion to acquire and develop new technologies in space domain awareness, C2, ISR and other new capabilities.
Industry reacted positively to the NSS launch. Alex Zino, EVP Business Development and Future Programmes at Rolls-Royce Defence, said the company is looking forward ‘to working collaboratively with the UK government and our wider industry partners to progress this long-term vision’.
Building on the establishment of the UK-Australia Space Bridge earlier in 2021, the NSS also seeks to establish new trade partnerships with global space allies.
More from Defence Notes
-
![Orchestrating operational readiness across every defence domain]()
Orchestrating operational readiness across every defence domain
Are all systems ready for the next mission? Have upgrades been applied? Are all assets aligned to deploy together, on time and fully prepared? In modern defence operations, readiness is no longer measured platform by platform. It is measured by how well people, assets, data and decisions move together — across land, sea and air.
-
![How deepening AI usage can boost efficiency and maximise effects for forces]()
How deepening AI usage can boost efficiency and maximise effects for forces
Saab has outlined how it is using artificial intelligence to make training more like electronic gaming, while the UK’s Power Size Technologies is applying the same technology to better evaluate and design vehicle capability, moving AI-enabled innovation further upstream from the frontline.
-
![From systems integrator to multi-domain solutions provider (video)]()
From systems integrator to multi-domain solutions provider (video)
Philipp von Brandenstein, Head of Corporate Communications at Rheinmetall, explains how Eurosatory 2026 marked a new stage in the company's evolution.
-
![US Pentagon pushes for major reform of defence acquisition system]()
US Pentagon pushes for major reform of defence acquisition system
The US Department of Defense has requested new contracting authorities from Congress, using the Army's MV-75 Cheyenne programme to demonstrate how competition, digital engineering and closer industry collaboration could accelerate acquisitions.
-
![US speeds up B61-13 nuclear bomb production as programme moves further ahead of schedule]()
US speeds up B61-13 nuclear bomb production as programme moves further ahead of schedule
The US government plans to accelerate production even further after achieving key B61-13 milestones months ahead of schedule, as the programme advances amid growing US-China strategic competition.
