As British Interplanetary Society members and supporters will be aware, the Society has commenced the UK Space Investment Campaign, which is urging the UK Government to double the UK’s Space Investment by 2030.

At present the UK is well behind comparable nations in terms of government investment in space – France, Germany, Italy and Japan commit over twice as much as the UK and they are now reaping the strong benefits of industrial contracts, security enhancement, science and STEM inspiration rewards from space-related investment.

Petition: Double UK Civil Space Spending by 2030

• What we want the Government to do:  Increase UK civil space spending to at least double its current level by 2030.
• Why we want the Government to do this: To restore the UK’s leading role in international space science, space utilisation and exploration, and to support growth, innovation and high-skilled jobs.
• Why is this important: The UK is a major economy but is falling behind comparable countries in government space investment. British Interplanetary Society campaign materials say that space investment brings strong economic returns, supports innovation and skills, strengthens national capability, and helps the UK secure industrial, scientific and inspirational benefits from international programmes.

The UK is one of the world’s largest economies, yet current government space investment lags behind comparable nations. British Interplanetary Society campaign materials argue that France spends about 2.5 times as much as the UK on space, while Germany and Italy spend around twice as much, and that the UK now risks losing industrial, scientific, educational and inspirational benefits as other countries increase their commitments.
The campaign materials also state that studies prepared for the UK Space Agency found that every £1 invested in space can generate more than £7 for the UK economy, and cite a 2025 House of Lords report warning that the UK must act now if it wants to be a leader in the growing space economy.

A stronger UK commitment would support innovation, skills, national capability, international partnerships and future opportunities for British scientists, engineers, companies and astronauts.

With the NASA-led Artemis programme returning humans to the Moon for the first time in half a century, the stakes for the UK have never been higher. Germany, Italy and France have already secured places for their astronauts on future Artemis lunar flights. The UK’s three ESA-trained astronauts — including Rosemary Coogan — face an indefinite wait for a comparable opportunity. The UK has also reportedly reduced its European Space Agency (ESA) budget contribution from 2026, falling behind Spain in total contributions.

Broadcaster and science communicator Dallas Campbell has added his support to the BIS UK Space Investment Campaign, emphasising the wider stakes for society:

“Space exploration is vital for our future. It offers new discoveries, inspiration and practical wins for all. The BIS campaign to double the UK’s space investment is timely and necessary. As a nation we must also rally others to invest more in spaceflight to reap its benefits for all of humanity.”
— Dallas Campbell

David Mackay, the UK-born former Virgin Galactic Chief Test Pilot said:

“I’d be happy to add my name to the list of those supporting this initiative. I believe that humans in space, or that have been in space, are a great motivation and inspiration for others to get involved in all it takes to achieve such missions.”

— David Mackay

Over the coming months the BIS will be undertaking press releases, media conferences and event talks. In the meantime, Members, Fellows and space supporters are encouraged to support the BIS campaign in one or all three of the following ways:

• Download the attached flyer (awaiting publication) and email it to your contacts;
• Sign our petition
  We need 10,000 signatures to get a Government response, and we need 100,000 signatures to get it debated in Parliament. While even 10,000 signatures is a lofty ambition, we do ‘dare mighty things’ at the BIS so we aim high;
• Contact a) Lord Vallance, the Minister of State at the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT); b) the Science Minister, Baroness Lloyd; c) the UK Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Liz Kendall MP; and d) your own local MP, pointing out the benefits of increased UK national space investment.
  A draft template letter is provided below.

Key contact email addresses are:

DRAFT TEMPLATE LETTER FOR YOUR POSSIBLE USE:

Dear [insert name]

Re: UK Space Investment

In its ninety-three-year history the British Interplanetary Society (BIS) has always been at the forefront of inspiring the world and the UK by championing and promoting the exploration and utilisation of space.

International enthusiasm for space exploration is growing again, with the NASA-led Artemis project commencing the return of humans to the Moon for the first time in half a century. Europe, Canada and Japan are all sharing in that adventure and are expanding their contributions to Artemis and general space investment.

However, the UK is well behind comparable nations in terms of government investment in space. France, Germany, Italy and Japan invest over twice as much as the UK in space. Worryingly, the UK will be missing out on much of the industrial, science and inspirational benefits of spaceflight. These benefits are immense.

I am supporting the Space Investment Campaign led by the BIS to urge the Government to at least double its current civil space spending level by 2030.

Please do note:

• Recent studies for the UK Space Agency have shown that every £1 invested in space creates over £7 for the nation’s economy (Novaspace,2025.)
• A 2025 House of Lords report on the space economy said: “The UK must act now if it wishes to be a leader in the growing space economy, the new race for space.”
• The UK is the sixth largest world economy and yet it is only the tenth highest in terms of overall government space investment (2025 figures).
• France is spending 2.5 times more than the UK on space, with Germany and Italy spending twice as much.
• India now invests 1.3 times more than the UK on space and is inspiring its young people and industry with lunar lander missions and an emerging human spaceflight capability of its own.
• In terms of its GDP ranking and space spending, the UK comes out at only 17th in the world’s space investment league. The USA spends 0.24% of its government budget on space – the UK is currently investing only 0.05%.
• The UK has apparently reduced its ESA budget from 2026 and will now be behind Spain in terms of total contributions.
• German, Italian and French astronauts will be the first Europeans to join NASA with future Artemis flights to the Moon. The three potential UK/ ESA-trained astronauts, including Rosemary Coogan, will most likely have to wait for years for any chance of securing spaceflight seats for the Artemis lunar return.
• Space investment obviously links to national security and the strengthening of UK national interests.

I do hope that you will agree with the case for an expanded UK space funding commitment and look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely

Sign our petition