New ESA Centre in United Kingdom

A step towards the creation of a new European Space Agency (ESA) research centre in the United Kingdom was taken in November 2008 with an agreement made at the ESA Ministerial Council in The Hague.

ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain and the Minister of State for Science and Innovation, Lord Drayson, signed an agreement in principle to pursue the establishment of an ESA research centre, to be based at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire. Harwell is the chosen location for the focus of the ESA facility activities because of the existing strong space capability at the site and the complementary capabilities present.

Several areas of possible activity for the ESA Centre have been identified, including climate change modelling using space data, integrated applications and the development of new technologies for the next era of planetary exploration, including robotics and innovative power sources.

Speaking about the plans, Lord Drayson said: “It is the government’s priority, particularly in the current economic climate, to ensure the most out of every pound we invest in ESA. This is why we have selected the areas and programmes where the UK can compete and grow most effectively.

“Historically the UK has made smart investments in robotics and microsatellites and this has enabled us to develop world-class leads in these areas. The UK is the fourth highest contributor to the European Space Agency’s programmes and I’m determined that we remain a significant player in European space.”

UK science and industry have played a strong part in the success of ESA missions and this move will allow for a stronger role in future ESA activities. The British National Space Centre (BNSC) is working with STFC on the implementation plan for the Centre and suitable interim accommodation has been identified in the ATLAS Centre. The centre was formally opened in the summer of 2009.