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Space Exploration and Research

Answer

The British National Space Centre (BNSC) co-ordinates the civil space activities of its funding partners, who are responsible for their own budgets, shown in table 1. A breakdown of the areas of spend are shown in table 2. The amount spent on space exploration can be calculated by adding "Science/Microgravity" and "Transportation", and was £60.5 million in 2004–05. Each partner decides funding on a programmatic basis, with each programme containing elements of research, technology development and services. Civil Space Expenditure co-ordinated through BNSC 1 Table 1: Source of funds (£ million) BNSC Partner 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 DTI 102.68 87.76 87.73 90.89 87.50 85.06 34.10 38.70 PPARC 42.76 38.71 38.96 41.30 42.50 48.96 73.86 66.20 Met Office 15.05 23.16 27.11 24.06 23.27 13.89 22.39 31.84 NERC 12.70 11.10 11.00 11.00 10.50 9.99 51.00 52.20 MoD 7.05 6.82 6.35 6.11 5.00 2.30 2.30 2.00 DfT 2 1.04 (4)16.04 1.04 3.50 0.41 – 5.00 7.00 Defra 3 1.90 1.40 0.43 0.52 – – 0.00 0.00 Total 183.18 184.99 172.62 177.38 169.18 160.20 188.65 197.94 Table 2: Breakdown of funds—by subject area and spend area (£ million) ("ESA" is the European Space Agency) 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 Earth Observation National(8) 34.69 41.10 44.68 41.12 40.02 27.08 (7)27.07 39.94 ESA 60.81 58.74 44.23 26.03 28.18 26.57 (7)62.15 40.19 Sciences(6)/Microgravity National 9.50 7.50 9.56 12.00 13.10 (5)20.00 20.50 20.00 ESA 33.61 32.95 32.29 33.42 28.65 34.07 40.25 35.40 Telecommunications and Navigation National 4.00 3.80 3.70 7.55 8.71 10.14 3.10 4.80 ESA 10.40 (4)20.58 7.68 22.09 19.75 9.19 15.35 23.40 Technology National 1.15 2.38 7.04 18.00 8.63 12.04 2.21 3.60 ESA 2.66 0.00 4.83 0.75 – 0.43 0.20 – Transportation National 0.28 0.17 0.26 0.39 – – 1.82 – ESA 4.79 3.59 4.53 4.04 4.00 4.76 1.10 5.10 Other National 0.31 0.22 0.30 0.32 1.59 1.26 – 0.60 ESA General Budget 20.98 13.96 13.52 11.67 16.55 14.66 14.90 24.90 Total 183.18 184.99 172.62 177.38 169.18 160.20 188.65 197.94 (1) These figures were derived from data available at the time of publication. (2) Formerly part of Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions and previously Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions. (3) Formerly part of Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions and previously Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. (4) 1998–99 figures include National Air Traffic Service's contribution of £15 million to ESA's EGNOS(GNSS-1) Programme. (5) From 2002–03, this includes grants in support of the science programme. (6) Includes contributions to the Aurora programme. (7) These figures were tabled incorrectly in Space Activities 2004. (8) Includes non-ESA international programmes.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

814; 673 c82-4WA

Session

2005-06

Subjects

Expenditure Research Spaceflight Space technology

Contains statistics

Yes