From: Ronald Wiltshire

Dear Fellow of the RAS

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the British National Space Centre (BNSC) have launched a consultation on the future of UK civil space activities.

The consultation seeks views on whether BNSC is the right organisation to continue to oversee UK space activity and critically, whether it should be replaced by a free standing space agency. The consultation closes in October, but to prepare a submission from the RAS, it would be helpful for us to hear from Fellows over the next few weeks. In particular, there are questions about the nature of the new body, how it is funded and how it fits in with activity by the Research Councils and other bodies. Any change could have a significant impact on the future of space and astronomy research in the UK and how we work with our international partners.

You can see the press release and consultation document at http://www.bis.gov.uk/bis-launches-space-consultation

Please let me have your thoughts by the end of August ? the most straightforward way to get in touch is to e-mail me at rm@ras.org.uk

Best wishes

Robert

Dr Robert Massey rm@ras.org.uk
Press and Policy Officer
Royal Astronomical Society