BBG Business Briefing with Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency

Date Posted:Thu, 28th Oct 2021

 BBG Business Briefing with Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency

This business briefing - made possible by the Department for International Trade (DIT), UK Space Agency and venue partner voco™ Dubai was a fascinating insight into Space and the clear positioning and UK's readiness to be an international space partner!

 

Newly appointed CEO Dr. Paul Bate shared highlights of the UK's Space Strategy, launched last month, presenting the UK as a hub of intellect and innovation, awaiting serious investment to match the potential and to fund the start up community in the space sector.

Panelists: Dr Paul Bate - UK Space Agency; Anna Hazlett - Founder of AzurX; and Joshua Broom - Deputy Head of Space, UK Department for International Trade (DIT) answered a series of questions from the audience - of cross-sector BBG Members and a visiting delegation of UK based companies, in Dubai for the International Astronautical Congress - around investment, space sustainability, security and education.

"As a demonstration of our commitment to international partnerships and highlighting some of the UK’s strengths in space, yesterday we announced funding for four separate projects to support space sustainability and combat space debris. These projects – working with the UN, with Astroscale, with ClearSpace SA and with Numerica Corporation – will help to make it safer to operate in earth’s orbits now and in years to come. This helps keep space safe for us and future generations and shows UK leadership on this increasingly important issue, at a time when orbit is becoming more congested than ever before.

Space sustainability is a good thing to do for everyone – but it is also a big business opportunity for the UK. The market for in-orbit servicing is expected to be worth up to $1bn by 2030 and was highlighted in our National Space Strategy as a priority market for the future. By investing now in early missions and supporting both shared and sovereign capabilities we hope to be among the first movers and support British businesses to play a key role in the future orbital economy," said Dr. Paul Bate, CEO UK Space Agency

UK Space Strategy: click here

Space debris clean up press release: click here

Thanks also to Sarah Taylor, Director; Rob Bricker, First Secretary Defence and Security (UAE) and Henry Sayers, Senior Trade and Investment Adviser (UK) Department for International Trade (DIT)

Contact details from the Department for International Trade (UK and UAE):

Henry Sayers | Senior Trade & Investment Adviser - The Gulf & Indo-Pacific | Space Sector Team
Department for International Trade | Old Admiralty Building, Admiralty Place, London SW1A 2BL
Mob: +44 7584 615505
Email: henry.sayers@trade.gov.uk

Rob Bricker | First Secretary Defence and Security
British Embassy Abu Dhabi | Al Hisn Road | PO Box 248, Abu Dhabi, UAE | Mob: +971 (0)56 219 6471|
E-mail: robert.bricker@fcdo.gov.uk
DIT MEAP Twitter | DIT LinkedIn | GREAT.gov.uk | DIT Twitter | gov.uk/dit

Joshua Broom, Deputy Head of Space
Department for International Trade,
Joshua.Broom@trade.gov.ukMob:
+44 (0)7341 027602