Records of the British National Space Centre (BNSC)

Records of the British National Space Centre (BNSC).

Registered file (IZ and TO series) are in NK 84.

British National Space Centre website is in NK 13

The British National Space Centre (BNSC) was established in 1985 and hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and united the government departments and Research Councils with interests in civil space. BNSC received advice on policy and co-ordination from the UK Space Board, which comprised those BNSC partners who provided the main funding for UK space activities: Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC); Natural Environment Research Council (NERC); DTI; the Met Office; and the Ministry of Defence. The UK Space Board was advised by representatives of all its partners, through the Space Advisory Council and by BNSC's five advisory boards that co-ordinated thinking on European space projects, satellite monitoring, space science, space technology, and telecommunications and navigation. BNSC aimed to obtain the maximum commercial, scientific and social benefits for the UK from space-focussed work.

BNSC was responsible for co-ordinating UK civil space activity; supporting academic research; nurturing the UK space industry; and working to increase understanding of space science and its practical benefits. It had three long-term objectives: To enhance the UK's standing in astronomy, planetary and environmental sciences;To stimulate increased productivity by promoting the use of space in government, science and commerce; To develop innovative space systems to deliver sustainable improvement in the quality of life.

The British National Space Centre was replaced by the UK Space Agency in April 2010.