Looking at the British space programme results in quiet satisfaction that this was one area where civil servants did not choose to hose taxpayers' money. They seemed to have learnt their lesson after Concorde, leaving such red ink to the Ministry of Defence. The government's space programme, subordinated to the European Space Agency (ESA), is showcased by the British National Space Centre.
With such a small programme, the scientific community has specialised in small satellites, developing comparative advantage in a particular area. The aim of Micro Satellite Applications in Collaboration (MOSAIC) was developed between 2000 and 2005 with new micro satellites lauched into orbit.
The UK is pioneering the development of these new technologies and techniques, which aim to show that a simple, economically-built spacecraft can achieve the same high-level results as traditional satellites.
Using small satellites, scientists can build and launch new satellites faster and much more cheaply. It could have a huge impact on the future of space missions and significantly reduce the cost of using satellite technology on Earth. It's therefore vital for our economy that we maintain our momentum and remain one of the world's leading manufacturers of this technology.
The MOSIAC programme resulted in two missions to develop this technology: TOPSAT (2005) and the Disaster Monitoring Constellation.
Costing just £14 million TopSat is many times cheaper than traditional satellite missions. Experts believe that with TopSat, we are looking at the future of satellite technology - a more cost-effective future, with better results.
It aims to show that a simple, economically-built spacecraft can achieve the same high-level results as traditional satellites. The TopSat platform will form the basis for future projects such as SSTL's involvement in RapidEye, a constellation of small satellites for relatively high-resolution optical observations.
The secret of keeping the cost down is the design of the craft itself. To ensure it stays as compact as possible, Top Sat has no extendable solar panels and very few moving parts anywhere on board.
Yet, when one looks at the depth of government involvement, one finds that Rapideye is a German company, that the satellites will be built by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) and that the main contractor is a Canadian government agency. The links between the government subsidised outposts in Europe and the New Space movement are provided by Elon Musk's financial interest in SSTL.
Therefore, the British National Space Centre trumpets the innovation of a subsidised private space company and maintains an understated profile in the global world of the space movement.