The stated purpose of the new Bill is to make the UK the most attractive place in Europe for commercial space – including launches from British soil. But officials are keen to ensure the space sector does not lose out when the UK leaves the EU. The government intends to increase the UK share of the global space economy from 6.5% today to 10% by 2030.
Spaceports have been an important sticking point. Previous feasibility work has already identified a number of aerodromes that might make suitable spaceports – from Cornwall to Scotland.
But as the law stands, rocket planes and other launch systems currently in development around the world would not be able to operate out of the UK. The Bill would sweep away this barrier by "enabling [scientists] to launch from UK soil".
The government says its legislation would "offer the UK’s world-leading small satellite companies new options for low-cost, reliable access to space".
Overall, the legislation aims to "deliver a stronger economy by generating jobs and putting British business, engineering and science at the forefront of this technology".
It is also intended to secure continued growth of the space industry, which has been growing at an annual rate of 8% over the last decade. The sector already outperforms the UK economy as a whole.
While Brexit will not affect the UK’s status as a member of the European Space Agency (Esa), projects such as Galileo – the European sat-nav system – are largely funded by the EU.
Guildford-based satellite manufacturer SSTL is building satellites for the system as part of a UK-German consortium.
But there are restrictions on "third countries" working on classified EU information and technologies, which applies to Galileo.