The UK Space Agency is set to be absorbed by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) in an effort to speed up decision-making and reduce bureaucracy.
As part of the government’s wider goal of reducing ‘red tape’ and avoiding duplication of work from public bodies, the UK Space Agency in April 2026 become a unit of DSIT, though it will retain its name and branding.
DSIT, as well as supporting scientific endeavours and safety regulations in the UK, has been tasked with encouraging the economic growth from research and technology.
There have been moves to encourage similar economic priorities among UK regulators and public bodies. The UK Space Agency has been no exception, having recently been tasked with moving on from its grant funding tradition in favour of seeking competitive private contracts.
With space tech increasingly being seen as a potentially significant source of economic growth, the agency will fall under the direct management of DSIT.
“You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to see the importance of space to the British economy,” said Space Minister Chris Bryant.
“This is a sector that pulls investment into the UK, and supports tens of thousands of skilled jobs right across the country, while nearly a fifth of our GDP is dependent on satellites.
“Bringing things in house means we can bring much greater integration and focus to everything we are doing while maintaining the scientific expertise and the immense ambition of the sector.”
Founded in 2010, the UK Space Agency already operates as an executive agency of DSIT.
“I strongly welcome this improved approach to achieving the government’s space ambitions. Having a single unit with a golden thread through strategy, policy and delivery will make it faster and easier to translate the nation’s space goals into reality,” said UK Space Agency chief executive Dr Paul Bate.
“In coming together, the UK Space Agency and space policy colleagues are building on the firm foundations of economic growth and capability development laid in recent years, including cutting-edge missions, major national programmes, and the regulations that enable UK launch and leadership in space sustainability.”
Register for Free
Bookmark your favorite posts, get daily updates, and enjoy an ad-reduced experience.
Already have an account? Log in
