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A Space Park Leicester astrophysics and space science expert quoted in a new House of Lords report appraising the space economy has said artistic talents should be considered alongside STEM credentials in a bid to tackle the skills challenge facing the space sector.

Professor Martin Barstow, Director of Strategic Partnerships at , was invited to contribute to the UK Engagement with Space Committee’s new report, The Space Economy: Act Now or Lose Out.

The committee made up of 12 peers was appointed to consider UK policies relating to space, and both the opportunities and challenges related to the UK’s engagement with space.

Their latest report considers the difficulties facing the space sector and what action needs to be taken to stop the UK “seriously falling behind competitor states”.

In the report, Professor Barstow, who is Professor of Astrophysics and Space Science at the Â鶹ÊÓƵ, was among those recommending that space skills should be considered more widely and should also include artistic and creative skills.  

He encouraged greater imagination from the space sector in spreading knowledge about space applications, saying it is important that artistic skills were considered alongside STEM when it comes to addressing the space skills gap. 

Professor Barstow also expressed concerns about the funding of space clusters – collaborations between companies, research organisations, and government agencies. He warned that “we have seen funding coming through to the clusters drop back quite dramatically” and that these vital collaborations were in “keep alive” mode. Encouragingly since Professor Barstow gave evidence, additional funding has been provided to space clusters, which has helped increase activity.

The report published on Tuesday, November 4, includes Professor Barstow’s comments on the importance of international collaboration, he says, “it is very difficult to do things on your own if you are a medium-sized country”, and that expanding partnerships is something that should be explored.  A key future partnership could be with Japan, with Professor Barstow noting “long-standing relationships with universities in Japan going back decades”.

As to the benefits and drawbacks of membership of the European Space Agency (ESA), Professor Barstow said that historic overreliance on ESA meant the UK was not providing enough resource to sovereign programmes, which in turn limited its ability to benefit from ESA. 

Professor Barstow, who is also Chair of the Midlands Innovation Space Group, said: “I welcomed the opportunity to review the UK’s space economy with committee members and industry peers, helping to provide a comprehensive summary and strategy for future growth. 

“It is encouraging to see the scale of the recommendations being made in this much-anticipated report, along with the commitment being made to ensure the UK space sector remains at the forefront of space innovation.” 

The committee report made a series of recommendations, including: 

• Provide a coherent strategic direction with clear delivery plans
• Reform the UK’s space funding model to allow firms to grow and scale
• Focus on the development of multi-use technologies
• Address skills challenges within the space sector
• Adopt a strategic approach to international partnerships.

The reports states: “The value of space to modern society is underappreciated. 

“The UK’s spending commitments on space are not commensurate with its ambitions in terms of both capability development and international leadership. 

“Compared with peer states, the UK invests relatively little in its space sector, which will limit its ability to capitalise on the opportunities that emerge in years to come. 

“Given the degree of state support that is traditionally required to achieve success in space, the UK risks seriously falling behind competitor states at current funding levels.” 

Baroness Ashton, Chair of the UK Engagement with Space Committee said: “Only the most strategic and forward-looking nations will capture the economic and scientific rewards of this new space age. 

“With the right leadership, co-ordination, and investment, the UK can be there. Space is transforming the world and our report found much to be positive about. Britain should play a role in leading this transformation. If not, it risks being left behind.”