Guess who is planning their space exploration mission right after China and India? None other than UK.

According to reports, a bill named Spaceflight has been proposed which will "cement the UK's position as a world leader in this emerging market."

The proposed bill offers setting up of space ports and launching of satellites to gain knowledge and information about space, giving UK an edge in the space exploration sector.

Spaceflight Bill

As stated by the Department for Transport (DfT), the Spaceflight bill is the ticket, which will allow scientists from the UK to perform several experiments under zero gravity, as well as develop enhanced vaccines and antibiotics.  

The proposal also states that if developments go according to plan, the UK will lift off a commercial space shuttle from its own space port by 2020.

"Our ambition is to allow for safe and competitive access to space from the UK, so we remain at the forefront of a new commercial space age," said aviation Lord Ahmad, UK's aviation minister.

Why A Spaceflight Bill?

The global commercial space flight market is estimated to be worth £25 billion (approximately $31.1 billion) over the next 20 years. Given the circumstances that all other nations are making incredible progress in space exploration, it would be foolhardy for Britain to stay out of the race.

Ahmad stated that the UK's ambition is to gain safe and competitive access to space in a bid to stay ahead in the commercial game. Moreover, he also stated that the UK's space sector is the future of British economy, which is obvious given the global market estimates stated earlier.

"The UK's space sector is the future of the British economy. It already employs thousands of people and supports industries worth more than £250 million to the economy, and we want to grow it further," said Ahmad.

The Spaceflight bill would also make the UK independent by creating its own space ports and launch stations. Currently, the UK has to depend on other countries like the United States, India or Japan to get access to launch vehicles. This dependence not only causes delays but also imposes restrictions on the UK in many ways.

The bill would make the UK capable of launching its own space exploration mission without any compromises.

Progress So Far

Nearly £10 million (approximately $12 million) worth of grants would be made available to help start the commercial spaceflight project by 2020. The Spaceflight bill would be submitted in the Parliament for approval sometime this week.

Photo: SpaceX | Flickr