UK 5G space satellite race
Update - 2.9.20
I was alerted to the UK’s involvement in the space race for satellite connectivity to 5G by a member of the network who sent me the article below:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-53834962
He had heard on LBC Radio news a reference to planning permission being given for a space hub in the Highlands in Scotland. He also mentioned that he heard a reference to permission to launch 12 satellites a year.
This is deeply concerning for 4 reasons:
(a) The public are not aware of the UK’s involvement in the space race and the eye watering sums needed to support that endeavour. Google’s parent company Alphabet alone has a £1bn investment in SpaceX run by Elon Musk which has received permission from the US FCC for 42,000 satellite launches in the US.
(b) The pristine pollution free Highlands will now be choked with solid fuel burn ups with satellite launches;
(c) For the reasons below 12 satellite launches a year may be increased significantly in a short space of time;
(d) The level of radiation in the atmosphere and on every part of earth is set to become dramatically higher and the health effects of radiofrequency radiation are set to become more pervasive and persistent. This is very concerning.
After some research, I learned the following:
1. The UK government has just spent £500m on the bankrupt OneWeb satellite company. OneWeb has just applied to the FCC for permission to launch the same number of satellites as SpaceX – 42,000. See One Web’s FCC application below, made in May 2020. It is important that we object to OneWeb’s application for 42,000 satellites. More on this later.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rjXMUw5jAzPsuYN0GUsxRVl-uG6MuQSL/view?usp=drivesdk
2. The UK government sees space as a business opportunity and is seeking to “grow the market” in space which it considers may be worth around £500bn over the next few years.
https://www.ukspace.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Prosperity-from-Space-strategy_2May2018.pdf
3. The government’s strategy on global connectivity is set out below:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-space-industry-sets-out-vision-for-growth
UK space industry sets out vision for growth
The Prosperity from Space strategy sets out a vision for enhanced growth in the UK space sector over the next decade.
Published by the Space Growth Partnership on Friday 11 May 2018, the strategy focuses on four sector priorities:
· Earth information services including navigation, analytics and security
· Connectivity services – global connectivity anywhere from any device
· In-space robotics – for science enterprise, consumers
· Low-cost access to space
The strategy aims to double the value of space to wider industrial activities from £250 billion to £500 billion, generate an extra £5 billion in exports and attract £3 billion of inward investment. The space sector will actively encourage diversity and inclusion in its workforce and interact with 1 million young people per year in a bid to increase interest in careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
4. The above Prosperity from Space document talks about “earth information services” and is very specific about 5G. This is mentioned in the planning statement for the Scottish satellite hub. This hub will launch 5G satellites.
5. Here is the planning statement for the Scottish space hub:
6. Look at page 49 which refers to supporting the “Prosperity from space” strategy (also above). The public are blissfully unaware of the 5G space race in the UK.
7. The UK Space Agency is charged with developing the space market in the UK but it is under the direction of the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (“BEIS”). It is merely an Executive Agency (government name for a department within the main department) of BEIS. So when BEIS’s Accounting Officer looked at the request for investment in OneWeb, he paused and was not convinced that this investment was value for public money. He cautioned that the investment does not meet the standards of managing public money.
8. Given his concern, he requested a “direction” from the Secretary of State for BEIS to make the investment, noting that the UK Space Agency did not consider OneWeb could overcome various technical issues which it identified. The request for a direction is below.
9. The BEIS’s Accounting Officer states at the end of the request for a direction, the following:
“I cannot satisfy myself that this investment meets the requirements of Value for Money as set out in Managing Public Money. Therefore, whilst I believe the risks around the other Accounting Officer standards of regularity, propriety and feasibility are manageable, Managing Public Money requires me to seek a direction from you.”
10. The Secretary of State directed the purchase of a 45% stake in the bankrupt OneWeb.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministerial-direction-for-the-purchase-of-oneweb
11. OneWeb’s satellites are connectivity satellites and will use 5G transmission and upwards to enhance comms on earth.
12. So Space X with its 42,000 and OneWeb with its 42,000 (and rising for both no doubt) will increase the satellites circling earth. Amazon is also trying to set up its own satellite consternation so the numbers are set to rise further. There are only hundreds of satellites in the ionosphere at present enabling satnav and other activities. These massive increases will present new issues, challenges and dangers which we have never before experienced on earth.
13. Satellites need to be replaced every 3 – 5 years so there will be constant launches to keep the exorbitant number of satellites in play.
14. On 16 June (2020), the UK and US governments signed the Technology Safeguards Agreement. This paves the way for US companies to operate from UK spaceports and export space launch technology. Science Minister Amanda Solloway said:
“We want the UK to be the first place in Europe to launch small satellites and, in order to do that, we need business-friendly regulations in place.
Satellite launches will create new jobs right across the UK and attract significant investment into our rapidly growing space sector. This consultation brings these exciting opportunities a big step closer.”
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/giant-leap-for-uk-spaceflight-programme-as-consultation-launches
15. There is a consultation on regulations for the space port and satellite services which ends in Oct 2020.
16. There are many documents at this link which relate to space but the document entitled “Guidance on the assessment of environmental effects” does not mention health.
The actions I am investigation further now as mentioned are:
(a) The legality of the decision to invest in OneWeb;
(b) Preparing objections to the FCC re OneWeb’s application for 42,00 satellites;
(c) Preparing comments on the consultation on regulations.
I will be in touch further when I have considered the above.
Some background notes:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OneWeb
On 3 July 2020, a consortium led by the UK national government and Bharti Global won the auction to purchase the bankrupt company, with each of the two parties expected to invest US$500 million for a combined investment of US$1 billion.[13][5][14][15]
On 3 July 2020, the UK Government announced that it had acquired a 45% stake in OneWeb Global for US$500 million in a joint venture with Sunil Mittal's Bharti Global of India who would hold 55% (formerly a partner of OneWeb), the deal being subject to US Bankruptcy Court and regulatory approval. The deal was subsequently approved by the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York on 10 July 2020.[33] It was reported that the UK would repurpose the satellites for its own Global Navigation Satellite System.[34] It was also announced that Hughes Network Systems would invest USD$50 million in the consortium.[35]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_Global_Navigation_Satellite_System
The United Kingdom Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is in development to rival the European Union’s Galileo Global Navigation Satellite System after Brexit.[1]
The system will be run by the United Kingdom Space Agency. Satellites are planned to be launched from the proposed spaceport in Sutherland, Scotland using a vertical launch platform in 2025,[2] with the United Kingdom GNSS planned to be fully operational by 2030.[3] In 2019, it was estimated that the cost of the project would be £5 billion.[4] [5]
The United Kingdom government has said that it wants the United Kingdom GNSS to be openly compatible with the United States' Global Positioning System (GPS) and Five Eyes. Both the United States of America and the other Five Eyes nations are contributing their expertise to assist the planning and construction, and in exchange these nations will gain access to the United Kingdom's GNSS encrypted area after it is launched.[6][7] [8]
History
The United Kingdom GNSS was first discussed by the UK government in May 2018, after the European Union told the United Kingdom that it would no longer be able to use the secure component of the EU's Galileo,[9] [10] the equivalent of the USA's GPS. One suggested name for the UK Global Navigation Satellite System GNSS is Newton, after the English mathematician Sir Isaac Newton.[11]
In November 2019, the United Kingdom's Space Trade Association (UKSA) released a United Kingdom Space Manifesto, in which they state that the United Kingdom "participation in a new global satellite navigation system must be secured".[12][13]
In July 2020, the United Kingdom Government and India's Bharti Enterprises were successful in a joint bid to purchase the bankrupt OneWeb satellite company, with the UK paying $500m (£400m) for a 45% stake.[14]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK_Space_Agency
The United Kingdom Space Agency (commonly known as the UK Space Agency or UKSA) is an executive agency of the Government of the United Kingdom, responsible for the United Kingdom's civil space programme. It was established on 1 April 2010 to replace the British National Space Centre (BNSC) and took over responsibility for government policy and key budgets for space exploration;[2][3] it represents the United Kingdom in all negotiations on space matters.[4][5] The Agency "[brings] together all UK civil space activities under one single management".[2] It is based at the former BNSC headquarters in Swindon, Wiltshire.[4][6][7]
History and aims
The establishment of the UK Space Agency was announced by Lord Mandelson, Lord Drayson and astronaut Major Timothy Peake at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre on 23 March 2010.
Around £230 million of funding and management functions were merged into the UK Space Agency from other organisations.[4] "Improving co-ordination of UK efforts in fields such as Earth science, telecoms and space exploration" will form part of its remit, according to Lord Drayson.[8]
Prior to the creation of the Agency, the space and satellite industry in the UK was valued at £9 billion and supported 68,000 jobs.[9] The 20-year aim of the Agency is to increase the industry to £40 billion and 100,000 jobs,[2] and to represent 10% of worldwide space products and services (increasing from the current 6%). This plan arises from the "Space Innovation and Growth Strategy" (Space-IGS) report, published by the Space Innovation and Growth Team in February 2010.[4]
Dr David Williams was appointed Acting Chief Executive on 1 April 2010 and he was confirmed as the first CEO on 1 April 2011. At the ESA Council at Ministerial level in November 2012 the UK budget for space was significantly increased. Alice Bunn is the International Director.[10]
Although Space-IGS called for the UK to double European Space Agency (ESA) contributions and to initiate and lead at least three missions between now and 2030, this has not been committed to, with Lord Drayson stating that "We will require a compelling business case for each proposal or mission".[4]
Transfers of authority
The UK Space Agency took over the following responsibilities from other government organisations:
· All responsibilities, personnel, and assets of the British National Space Centre
· ESA subscriptions from Natural Environment Research Council, Science and Technology Facilities Council and Technology Strategy Board,[2] including project grants and post-launch support[11]
· UK elements of the space components of Global Monitoring for Environment and Security, and the Galileo satellite navigation system[2]
· The financial interest in the European Union Satellite Centre (agreed in principle)[2]
· Space technology and instrumentation funding from the Research Councils UK and Technology Strategy Board[2]
UK Space Gateway
The UK Space Gateway at Harwell, Oxfordshire is a focal point for growth in the UK's space sector. Harwell is home to a growing number of space organisations including start-ups, inward investors, corporate offices, the Satellite Applications Catapult, RAL Space and ESA's ECSAT Facility. As of April 2016, the site is estimated to host over 600 space-related employees working in circa 60 organisations.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_space_programme
United Kingdom Space Agency (2010 – present)
Main article: UK Space Agency
On 1 April 2010, the government established the UK Space Agency, an agency responsible for the British space programme. It replaced the British National Space Centre and now has responsibility for government policy and key budgets for space, as well as representing the UK in all negotiations on space matters.
As of 2015, the UK Space Agency provides 9.9% of the European Space Agency budget.[12]
Commercial spaceport competition
In July 2014, the government announced that it would build a British commercial spaceport. It planned to select a site, build the facilities, and have the spaceport in operation by 2018.[18] Six sites were shortlisted, but the competition was ended in May 2016 with no selection made.[19] However, in July 2018 UKSA announced that the UK government would back the development of a spaceport at A' Mhòine, in Sutherland, Scotland.[20] Launch operations at Sutherland spaceport will be developed by Lockheed Martin with financial support from the UK government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, with the aim of commencing operations in 2020.
Space Industry Bill 2017–2019
In June 2017, the government introduced a bill which will create a regulatory framework for the expansion of commercial space activities and the development of a UK spaceport, covering both orbital and sub-orbital activities.[21]
Commercial and private space activities
The first Briton in space, cosmonaut-researcher Helen Sharman, was funded by a private consortium without UK government assistance. Interest in space continues in the UK's private sector, including satellite design and manufacture, developing designs for space planes and catering to the new market in space tourism.
British contribution to other space programmes
Communication and tracking of rockets and satellites in orbit is achieved using stations such as Jodrell Bank. During the Space Race, Jodrell Bank and other stations were used to track several satellites and probes including Sputnik and Pioneer 5.[citation needed]
As well as providing tracking facilities for other nations, scientists from the United Kingdom have participated in other nation's space programmes, notably contributing to the development of NASA's early space programmes,[22] and co-operation with Australian launches.[citation needed]
The Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough, invented carbon fibre composite material. The Saunders-Roe SR.53 Rocket/jet plane in 1957 used the newly invented silver peroxide catalyst rocket engine.
The concept of the communications satellite was by Arthur C. Clarke.