Reflections on 2022

Some years are defined by great happiness, others by sadness.

Most lie between these two extremes but what most of us remember are the highs and the lows within the year and how these left us feeling. For me, this has been both an exciting and an unsettling year, and I suspect it has been the same for many across the space sector.

Personally, it was exciting to be in my first full year as CEO of the UK Space Agency.?I have felt the wonder and connection to the ground-breaking science, from Gaia to JWST, and connected with the underlying passion that exists in the UK Space Agency and across the sector to push the boundaries of how space benefits our world.

But it was unsettling too, as we all feel impacts from the war in Ukraine and the increased cost of living, and because leading means being the first to tackle difficult issues

In that context, I would like to take the opportunity as we come to the end of 2022 to reflect on the journey the UK Space Agency is on, what we have achieved across the UK space sector, and why we do what we do.

What we have achieved together

I’m fortunate to be able to spend time with colleagues across our sector and our international community. What I hear is that the UK Space Agency is on the right track, is getting closer to industry, academia and investors, and has the respect of the international community.

For all that this highlights that the changes we are making are well received, one of the biggest things I have learnt since starting is just how much delivery has been ongoing in the Agency and the UK sector. We can be tough critics of ourselves, but as we celebrate the many great things that were achieved this year, I keep at the front of my mind that these were all put in train many years ago. There are too many successes to call them all out, but our progress towards UK launch, on JWST, and on sustainability stand out for me. We have seen companies across the country grow, with big moves to the UK from players like Astroscale.

Another very recent success is the SWOT mission, which lifted off successfully from California on Friday. You can read more about UK involvement in the mission here.

The investments we secured at the ESA Council of Ministers in November were a high point of the year, made possible by an incredible team effort across the UK Space Agency, BEIS and wider government, with the support of and our friends at UK Space and across the sector. Defining missions with strong UK roles include Rosalind Franklin, Vigil, TRUTHS, Aeolus-2, ADRIOS, and Moonlight. Across ESA and our national programme, we have made major investments in the technologies of tomorrow, with nearly ￡50 million across space nuclear and space-based solar power.

We focused on missions where we could take true leadership, to build our industry and science base. We were ambitious in what we chose, but also clear about what wouldn’t get funded. We focused on where we could do deals with others, so everyone benefited.

I often talk about how space is a team sport. Throughout all we have achieved this year, we behaved like a true team when times got tough – and that’s the most important thing.

Why we do what we do

When reflecting on the work that the Agency and UK space sector has achieved this year, I got to thinking about the underlying reason why we get out of bed in the morning and do what we do.?

We want to do good in the world, and we can see that space brings an amazing opportunity to do so. Our work benefits the planet and the people on it, as space creates prosperity, shows how the Earth and its atmosphere is changing, and unlocks human potential – in individuals and as a species.

The unique vantage point of space gives us the “how” – through satellites, exploration missions, science instruments, launch and the data insights that result. And the “what” is the National Space Strategy and our Agency’s Corporate Plan. As important as the missions, strategies and plans are, they are only there because we have a clear and shared "why".

We do what we do because space helps the UK and humanity to be the best we can be.

I want to go into the Christmas period remembering the ‘why’, and of course I’m looking forward to enjoying some time with my family and friends. Thank you to everyone who has supported me and the Agency over the course of the year. I hope you all have a restful break.?

Paul