The UK Space Agency and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) will look into ways to work together more closely.
The move comes in response to Chief Executive Paul Bate of the UK Space Agency’s first visit to Dstl’s space facilities at its Portsdown West location in Portsmouth, where he met Paul Hollinshead and senior members of the company’s Space Systems Program.
Under the National Space Strategy, the two organisations are in charge of handling independent but related UK government space programmes.
In recent years, Dstl’s Space Systems Program has grown substantially, assisting UK Space Command and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) more generally with research and development (R&D), particularly in space domain awareness (SDA) and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).
As the UK expands its commercial satellite launch industry and develops new capabilities, there has been an increase in communication between both organisations on various levels as a result of the first satellite launch from the country later this year by Virgin Orbit from Spaceport Cornwall.
The meeting covered the advantages of collaboration in developing new technologies and deepening the specialised knowledge found throughout Dstl and the UK Space Agency.
Dstl Chief Executive, Dr Paul Hollinshead, said:
“This is an ideal time to deepen the collaboration between two of the UK’s leading space research organisations. Many of the space innovations being developed today will have dual-use application for both the defence and civil sectors.
“Pooling our expertise could widen the adoption of these technologies to bring them into use faster and cheaper while fuelling the growth of our specialist suppliers.”
CEO of the UK Space Agency, Dr Paul Bate, said:
“It was a privilege to visit the advanced facilities at Dstl and discuss areas of mutual collaboration, to inform the development of new space capabilites.
“The National Space Strategy recognises the huge potential for dual-use applications in areas such as secure communications and Earth observation, and we value the support of our defence partners in the preparations for the first satellite launches from the UK.
“We also share a common desire to inspire the next generation to reach for the stars and support the talent of tomorrow.”