New space technologies that could benefit the NHS, and the first step in the reduction of insurance costs for satellite operators were the topics of discussion Monday July 4 when Minister for Universities and Science David Willetts delivered the opening speech at the first UK Space Conference.

In his speech the Minister revealed that the first step has been made in making UK satellite operators more internationally competitive by reducing their insurance premiums for compulsory third-party liability insurance (for both launch and in-orbit operation) This cost will be reduced from euros 110 million to euros 60 million for the majority of missions.

The next stage will be to consider proposals to amend the Outer Space Act itself so that there is an upper limit on third-party liability for UK satellite operators for the majority of missions and an exemption for in-orbit liability for very small satellites such as CubeSats.

Speaking at the conference Minister for Universities and Science David Willetts said, "The UK's space sector is a crucial driver of growth, and is worth around 7.5 billion Pound annually. That's why it's crucial that we've taken the first steps in reforming the Outer Space Act. We have real strengths in satellites and telecommunications, and this will help put UK operators on a level playing field with their international competitors.

I want to do everything I can to further boost the UK's space sector, and continue working with industry to reduce regulatory burdens."

The Minister also announced that the UK Space Agency has pledged support for 9 groundbreaking spin-out projects, ranging from Europe's leading space company working with experts in the medical field to identify where space technology can be used or adapted to benefit the NHS, to automated driving aids that can operate without GPS.

All projects are spun-out of Europe's Aurora space exploration programme and all have the potential to be developed into terrestrial applications that can benefit society and the UK economy.

Dr David Williams, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said, "Most people don't realise that space technology is all around us and that most of us use space technology every day.

The Aurora programme spin-outs are a great example of how industry, academia and government can work together to maximise the output of space research. It's for this same reason that leading figures from both the UK and wider international space industry have gathered here for the UK Space Conference."

The UK Space Conference 2011 is the premier event happening within the UK space community this year and is hosting a wide variety of prominent figures from both the UK and wider international space industry, along with senior policy makers from the UK Government, European Space Agency and European Commission, as well as a host of other people from industry, government and academia.

Also announced at the UK Space Conference was the exciting news that the UK's RAL Space has been selected to design, build and test the world's first ever high definition streaming space video camera, and the progress of the National Space Technology Programme - a 10 million Pound provision for the UK Space Agency to support the development of space technology in the UK.

The detailed plan for the National Space Technology Programme has just been released for consultation with the space community. The next step after consultation will be the call for proposals.

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