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14/04/2004
UK space industry reaches new heights, claims survey
The value of the UK space industry has increased by 20% to top almost £4 billion over the last two years, according to the results of the latest sector survey.
The biennial study looking into the size and health of the UK’s space industry showed that two-thirds of firms expected positive growth in the industry over the next two years.
Dr Colin Hicks, Director General of the British National Space Centre (BNSC), which commissioned the report, said: “This survey has once again shown the continued expansion of the satellite services market. This growth is an indicator of the Government’s successful space policy of exploiting commercial opportunities from this type of technology.
“There is also the promise of greater expansion of the UK’s commercial space activities over the next few years. Major projects such as the European Galileo satellite navigation system will give British companies more opportunities to bid for contracts and create even more jobs.”
The report, which includes information from 222 companies involved in space work, showed a combined turnover of £3.9 billion for 2002/03, up from £3.24 billion in 2000/01.
The upstream space industry – the providers of space technology including satellite manufacturers – generated a turnover of £501 million. This was down 2% on 2001/02, but is an overall increase of 13% on 2000/01.
The downstream sector, those companies that exploit the technology such as telecommunications providers and broadcasters, saw a turnover of almost £3.4 billion in 2002/03, up from £3.1 billion in 2001/02 and £2.8 billion in 2000/01.
The figures reveal the dominance of the downstream sector, which now represents 87% of total industry turnover. Employment in the industry stands at approximately 15,700 – with 5,900 employed by upstream companies and 9,800 by downstream companies.
According to the survey, claimed to be the most comprehensive review yet of UK commercial space activities, the workforce continues to be highly qualified with the proportion of staff having at least a first degree increasing from 40% in 1997/8 to 63% in 2002/03.
(SP)
The biennial study looking into the size and health of the UK’s space industry showed that two-thirds of firms expected positive growth in the industry over the next two years.
Dr Colin Hicks, Director General of the British National Space Centre (BNSC), which commissioned the report, said: “This survey has once again shown the continued expansion of the satellite services market. This growth is an indicator of the Government’s successful space policy of exploiting commercial opportunities from this type of technology.
“There is also the promise of greater expansion of the UK’s commercial space activities over the next few years. Major projects such as the European Galileo satellite navigation system will give British companies more opportunities to bid for contracts and create even more jobs.”
The report, which includes information from 222 companies involved in space work, showed a combined turnover of £3.9 billion for 2002/03, up from £3.24 billion in 2000/01.
The upstream space industry – the providers of space technology including satellite manufacturers – generated a turnover of £501 million. This was down 2% on 2001/02, but is an overall increase of 13% on 2000/01.
The downstream sector, those companies that exploit the technology such as telecommunications providers and broadcasters, saw a turnover of almost £3.4 billion in 2002/03, up from £3.1 billion in 2001/02 and £2.8 billion in 2000/01.
The figures reveal the dominance of the downstream sector, which now represents 87% of total industry turnover. Employment in the industry stands at approximately 15,700 – with 5,900 employed by upstream companies and 9,800 by downstream companies.
According to the survey, claimed to be the most comprehensive review yet of UK commercial space activities, the workforce continues to be highly qualified with the proportion of staff having at least a first degree increasing from 40% in 1997/8 to 63% in 2002/03.
(SP)
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