LONDON, May 11 (Xinhua) -- A prosperity from space strategy set out a vision on Friday to double the size of Britain's space sector over the next decade.
The strategy, published by the Space Growth Partnership, aims to double the value of space to wider industrial activities from 340 billion U.S. dollars to 680 billion U.S. dollars, and to generate an extra 11 billion U.S. dollars in exports and inward investment.
The strategy focuses on four sector priorities, earth information services including navigation, analytics and security, global connectivity anywhere from any device, in-space robotics for science enterprise, consumers, and low-cost access to space.
The space sector will actively encourage diversity and inclusion in its workforce and interact with 1 million young people every year in a bid to increase interest in careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Science Minister Sam Gyimah said: "We want the UK to thrive in the commercial space age and have committed 150 million pounds (204 million U.S. dollars) in our Industrial Strategy to help develop advanced rocket engines, test satellites and establish spaceports in the UK for the first time.
"The government will continue to work closely with the space sector to build on our significant capability and maximise the benefits of space to life on Earth, creating jobs and opportunities across the country."
Minister for Investment Graham Stuart, said:"Too few people are aware of the success and significance of the UK space sector or its vast potential for future growth. The government is determined to support our emergence as a commercial space service hub with an increasing global market share backed by new partnerships in science and trade."
Space sector productivity in Britain is nearly three times the national average, with year-on-year growth five times greater than the wider economy since 1999. The sector has tripled in value since 2000, according to official figures.
The new strategy is backed by the UK Space Agency, the Department for International Trade and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
