I am delighted to introduce the UK Space Directory 2008.
Space is a continuing success story for the UK economy. Figures from the latest BNSC industry survey give an overall value for the sector of £5.8 billion in 2006/07 with almost 19,000 people employed in high-tech, high value jobs. Growth approached 8% in 2006/07 and the overall value of the sector has almost doubled since 1999/2000. The sector remains one of the highest performing in the UK economy in terms of the value added per employee.
Underpinning these figures, the UK Space Industry has an excellent breadth of technical capabilities, and innovation is a key characteristic of both the upstream and downstream sectors. The UK Civil Space Strategy, 2008-2012 and beyond, published by BNSC earlier this year, opened with a list of UK strengths and achievements:
- the world's most profitable global satellite mobile communications provider;
- the world's first public-private partnership for secure military satellite communications;
- Europe's most successful satellite based TV broadcaster;
- the world's leading capital market for satellite and application financing;
- a satellite manufacturing industry that continues to deliver the world's largest and most complex communications satellites;
- world-leading activities in software and control for satellites and ground-segment operations;
- the world's leading small satellite company and through it, the global disaster management satellite constellation, DMC;
- world-class research in astronomy, solar physics and planetary science;
- scientific excellence in Earth science, climate understanding and world-class environmental forecasting including weather; and
- a world-leading reputation for developing new and innovative service applications using satellite networks.
The Government is determined that Space will play a key role in the future, knowledge based, economy with an increasing share of the global market in space systems, services and applications. I look forward to working with the companies listed in this Directory in the coming years. Together we will aim to benefit society by strengthening innovation and creating new products and services for everyday use.
David Williams, Director-General British National Space Centre