Space Integration: The UK Space Agency has been consolidated into the Science Ministry, with the prospective outcomes yet indistinct

The UK Space Agency (UKSA) has undergone a significant change, being incorporated into the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), as announced by Chris Bryant MP, minister of state for data protection and telecoms, on August 20, 2025. This rearrangement is aimed at reducing red tape and duplicative bureaucracy within DSIT and UKSA.

The UK's space policy has been an interdepartmental and Cabinet Office concern, with UKSA playing a crucial role in consultations on the regulatory and civil space research dimensions of UK space policies. The agency also acts as a research council, rivalling the work traditionally performed by the UK Research and Innovation's and Science and Technology Funding Council (STFC).

However, the UK government's approach to space has been criticised for spreading out too little money in too many directions on small research projects rather than bold national infrastructural space programs. This has resulted in the UK falling behind countries like France, Sweden, and Spain in the small satellite launch sector, a problem that pre-dates UKSA and continues to persist.

The author of a recent article published on The Conversation advocates for courageous policy decisions at the top of government to deliver a coherent, focused, joined-up, and fully funded UK civil and defense space programs. The development of new satellite constellations, such as radar imagery for military operational needs, would be a significant undertaking for the Ministry of Defence (MoD), marking a significant shift since the Skynet satellite communications system.

The MoD has expressed its wish to invest in new space capabilities, but it cannot do so without a large injection of new funding, far beyond the billions already allocated for the military satellite Skynet 6 and defense satellite system ISTARI. The UKSA, on the other hand, does not operate satellites or conduct major research and development projects by itself. Instead, it serves as a key point of contact for distributing Esa funding for British industry and university contributions to Europe-wide space projects.

The UK government has recognised the importance of maintaining a distinct and recognisable brand for UKSA in its new role. The UK's space policy after the 2025 restructuring aims to strengthen the UK’s role in space technology and innovation, focusing on advancing space capabilities, fostering collaboration especially with partners like the US, and supporting emerging sectors such as AI-assisted space medicine and sustainable space infrastructure for lunar and Martian missions. This reflects a strategic emphasis on autonomy in space operations and leadership in cutting-edge space exploration technologies.

The government must also consider the security and military dimensions of space, which cannot exclude UKSA or the civil, industrial, and research dimensions as they provide the capability and know-how to build British space systems. The lack of a coherent, joined-up national UK space programme with the funding to match remains a chronic problem, and it is essential that the government addresses this issue to ensure the UK's continued success in the space sector.

The rearrangement of UKSA into the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is likely to be more esoteric, subtle, and bureaucratic in the short term. The Boris Johnson government formed the National Space Council to drive and coordinate partnerships, but it was abolished by the Truss government and reinstated during the Sunak government. There have been no announcements from the Starmer government yet on any meetings of the council.

The original article can be found on The Conversation's website.