Effect of Brexit on UK Space Industry ?
Discussion
I can't help but think Brexit will have a bad effect on the UK space industry due to the fact that a lot of the European space industry is interlinked between countries resulting in our departure being messy.
I appreciate that ESA isn't the EU, and non EU states are members, but being separate from the EU will hinder a lot of work with the UK and some commercial customers may just go elsewhere as it is the simpler option. Geographic return will help with ESA work, but not some commercial work, of which we do a significant amount.
(For those not familiar with geographic return it is where you get a portion of ESA work proportional to what you pay into ESA.)
The space industry may seem a somewhat “unnecessary” industry to some but it’s not all abstract science projects. Even those bring hard cash into the British economy. Space is one of the areas in the UK where manufacturing is increasing and where we still lead in certain areas.
Anyway, off you go, am I worrying too much? discuss.
I appreciate that ESA isn't the EU, and non EU states are members, but being separate from the EU will hinder a lot of work with the UK and some commercial customers may just go elsewhere as it is the simpler option. Geographic return will help with ESA work, but not some commercial work, of which we do a significant amount.
(For those not familiar with geographic return it is where you get a portion of ESA work proportional to what you pay into ESA.)
The space industry may seem a somewhat “unnecessary” industry to some but it’s not all abstract science projects. Even those bring hard cash into the British economy. Space is one of the areas in the UK where manufacturing is increasing and where we still lead in certain areas.
Anyway, off you go, am I worrying too much? discuss.
I'm not so worried about ESA work, it's the commercial areas that concern me. Everyone thinks UK space is all about ESA work, it's not.
For Example, in Britain we produce the structures and payloads for the Eurostar geostationary communication satellites that currently make up a 1/4 to 1/3 the global market a year. That's 70 Eurostar E2000 or E3000 comm satellites built or in build since 1990. Final assembly & testing occur in France. Occasionally we assemble & test smaller comm satellites here as well. You never hear about this because it's not Buck Rogers enough and it would be un-British to brag about it. It's commercial and rarely sees any taxpayers money, though ESA do sometimes fund new technology. It's an area where we lead for now. I'm concerned we could lose that along with other commercial areas.
I do agree that Galileo is hideously over budget and it should never have got that way.
For Example, in Britain we produce the structures and payloads for the Eurostar geostationary communication satellites that currently make up a 1/4 to 1/3 the global market a year. That's 70 Eurostar E2000 or E3000 comm satellites built or in build since 1990. Final assembly & testing occur in France. Occasionally we assemble & test smaller comm satellites here as well. You never hear about this because it's not Buck Rogers enough and it would be un-British to brag about it. It's commercial and rarely sees any taxpayers money, though ESA do sometimes fund new technology. It's an area where we lead for now. I'm concerned we could lose that along with other commercial areas.
I do agree that Galileo is hideously over budget and it should never have got that way.
Having worked as a Spacecraft Engineer in the UK/European space industry for almost 26 years I hereby predict that we are as an industry in the UK now royally bugg@red (my opinion, not my employers, I have to state that). I work with colleagues in Europe everyday & see how integrated we are.
My employer has publicly stated that they will no longer invest in the UK on a Leave vote.
Competitors in other countries will now be champing at the bit to cut us out as a country and get our slice of the action.
Oh, well. I'm 48, it's been an interesting career. Not sure what to do now.
My employer has publicly stated that they will no longer invest in the UK on a Leave vote.
Competitors in other countries will now be champing at the bit to cut us out as a country and get our slice of the action.
Oh, well. I'm 48, it's been an interesting career. Not sure what to do now.
My take on it is - Invest, as in the sites in other European countries get the new improved manufacturing facilities/processes, then over a few years they get all the work because we are no longer economic here. Ultimate end result - possible UK site closure.
Everyone really stunned and quiet at work today. I appreciate how other industries are affected. That is what makes it more devastating. Saddened Remain did such a poor job of explaining the benefits of the EU.
Everyone really stunned and quiet at work today. I appreciate how other industries are affected. That is what makes it more devastating. Saddened Remain did such a poor job of explaining the benefits of the EU.
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