The Minister of State for Universities and Science David Willetts has today (Wednesday 21st July) announced that the UK Space Agency and NASA have agreed a statement of intent for potential cooperation in civil space activities.
The statement, signed yesterday, at a meeting in London, by the Minister and the NASA Administrator, Charles F. Bolden Jr, confirms the mutual desire of the two agencies to identify new cooperative activities related to Earth and space science, life sciences, and space exploration, in addition to other areas of mutual interest.
Credit: BIS
[i]David Willetts, Minister of state for Universities and Science (Left) and NASA Administrator, Charles F. Bolden Jr[/i]
Dr. David Williams, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said, "The UK and the US have a long history of collaboration in space activities and we want to ensure that this relationship keeps going from strength to strength and continues to produce international, world class science and exploration."
NASA Administrator, Charles F. Bolden Jr, added, "NASA has a long history of successful cooperation with the United Kingdom and looks forward to enhanced cooperation through the new UK Space Agency in a variety of areas of mutual interest."
Cooperation on Earth science, including the utilization of ground-based networks, airborne missions and space-based technology, can contribute to a better understanding of the Earth system, its changing global dynamics, and the impact of human activity on the environment. Earth science applications, in particular, hold the promise of concrete societal benefits.
Likewise, closer cooperation in space science and space exploration could greatly improve scientific knowledge of the universe, and boost innovation and technology development. Cooperation between NASA and the UK Space Agency should expand scientific exchanges between U.S. and UK scientists and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.