The Royal Astronomical Society notes with caution the Government's decision to disband the UK Space Agency (UKSA) and absorb it within the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
While the desire to cut costs and bureaucracy must be commended, the Society seeks assurances that any savings will remain in space science and technology development. The drive for greater efficiency will be welcomed as long as it generates more room for innovative programmes to strengthen the UK's position in the space sector, especially in science.
Of particular concern is that UKSA was created to present a unified interface with the European Space Agency, as well as with other national space agencies, such as NASA and those in Canada, Australia and Japan.
This has proved to be a very successful endeavour, raising concerns that if UKSA ceases to exist as an independent entity, such important and invaluable progress may be reversed.
RAS President Professor Mike Lockwood said: "Space programmes are different from ground-based ones because everything has to be finalised, integrated and checked before launch. After that, in most cases, no changes, maintenance or repairs are possible and adjustments can only be made through remote control systems.
"This sets requirements for extraordinarily high quality assurance standards and absolute and rigorous deadlines; in turn this leads to very long planning and development phases, so continuity is important, otherwise the UK will miss out on opportunities."
ENDS
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Sam Tonkin
Royal Astronomical Society
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Notes for editors
About the Royal Astronomical Society
The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), founded in 1820, encourages and promotes the study of astronomy, solar-system science, geophysics and closely related branches of science.
The RAS organises scientific meetings, publishes international research and review journals, recognises outstanding achievements by the award of medals and prizes, maintains an extensive library, supports education through grants and outreach activities and represents UK astronomy nationally and internationally. Its more than 4,000 members (Fellows), a third based overseas, include scientific researchers in universities, observatories and laboratories as well as historians of astronomy and others.
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