News The UK will formally launch its new space agency on Tuesday

[SiberianTiger]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8579270.stm

The new organisation is expected to take control of the money spent on space by government departments and science funding agencies.
It will also represent the UK in all its dealings with international partners.



Britain currently puts about £270m a year into civil space endeavours, most of it via the UK's membership of the European Space Agency (Esa).



This is not expected to change dramatically with the creation of an executive agency, especially with the government committed to cutting the public deficit.



The hope, however, is that the reorganisation will bring more coherence to space policy, enabling the available monies to be spent more effectively.

Does it already have a website? Or is it a different entity?

http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/

 

[Hielor]

Tuesday!

 

[Notebook]

As far as I know the BNSC was the "Official" Government body for space, and had a budget, that always helps. Been around as long as I can remember.

It looks like its changing into this new agency:
http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/About-BNSC/Transition-Plans/13736.aspx

Good news, if they get some money. Probably laying the publicity for the UK ESA candidate Major Tim, and his possible mission in 2013.

N.

 

[SiberianTiger]

Good news, if they get some money. Probably laying the publicity for the UK ESA candidate Major Tim, and his possible mission in 2013.

N.

Almost like Major Tom! :lol:

 

[Notebook]

Yeah, and if he can get Bowie on his side, he may get some public attention!

N.

 

[Urwumpe]

Yeah, and if he can get Bowie on his side, he may get some public attention!

Make a "ground control to major tim" advertisement for the new agency and sell "space bonds" with it.

 

[Notebook]

Space Bonds, I like it! The ultimate pyramid selling scam?

Thinking about it, there must have been a real Major Tom in some space program. Maybe before Bowie left the planet though...

N.

 

[Lunar_Lander]

I just thought of Tom Stafford (Gemini 9, Apollo 10), but I read that he already had been Lt.General when he flew on both.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

As far as I can tell, the only jobs going at this new agency are civil servant administrative positions - so basically, it’ll become just another typical British agency.

 

[Notebook]

Well, at least its an Agency, thats better than a Council. Much better than our local one...

Hopefully they will get some money, and we can see more of this:

N.

 

[Urwumpe]

Meh. They should have used a McLaren for that, because everyone knows that a Reliant Robin does have a very low critical Mach number.

 

[blaze10001]

I'm waiting for a flood of UKSA DG-IV skins now

 

[Notebook]

Meh. They should have used a McLaren for that, because everyone knows that a Reliant Robin does have a very low critical Mach number.

If they had took the wing-mirrors off, they might have stood a chance.

N.

 

[anemazoso]

That video is absolutely hilarious! Always loved the Brits scence of humor. I can't beleive they did that though. Makes Mythbusters look like a bunch of chumps. :rofl:

Also more on topic, hurray for the new space agency! SO many good ideas come out of England maybe they can help bring more of them to fruition.

 

[Notebook]

Good progs on what happened to the UK space program here:

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBRgdhgakKE"]YouTube- Once We Had A Rocket - Part 3[/nomedia]

Maybe an improvement on the Reliant Robin?

N.

 

[Urwumpe]

Don't forget what you still have... ReactionEngines is still the best what the UK had as rocket engine designers.

 

[Notebook]

Yes, Reaction Engines look good, and I hope they get success.

n.

 

[wehaveaproblem]

As far as I can tell, the only jobs going at this new agency are civil servant administrative positions - so basically, it’ll become just another typical British agency.

And you sound suprised... Blame William the Conqueror.. damn beaurocracy!

Well, at least its an Agency, thats better than a Council. Much better than our local one...

Hopefully they will get some money, and we can see more of this:
YouTube- Top Gear - Reliant Robin space shuttle - Richard Hammond and James May - BBC

N.

I wish lol... The ironic reality with your point here is that they (Top Gear) knew the thing would never work before the launch, but they did it for the ****s and giggles... Let's just hope the real agency won't live out the same fate!

In reality I don't think we will see much difference. I think it's great we are singling out the agency and bringing attention to it, but my money is on them just being the point of contact through which we deal with ESA. I'd be very suprised if we saw any truely new projects on our sceptered isle.

 

[Bj]

Tuesday!

Coincidence?


Just checked, NASA was founded on a Tuesday too

 

[Urwumpe]

Just checked, NASA was founded on a Tuesday too

Does that really surprise you? After years of Orbiter?