Britain is preparing for a first. This week they're engaging the appropriate parties to enable the launch of space satellites from their own country. They've begun to draft legislation that will set out rules and regulations for the sector, that enables horizontal flights to the edge of space for scientific experiments and the establishment of space ports around Britain.
The government said the new powers could see a commercial spaceflight from a UK space port possible by 2020 as well as funding for commercial space businesses that want to create space launches in Britain. The bill will be introduced to parliament later this year, with specific regulations over issues such as safety and insurance measures to be developed for commercial operators.
Currently British businesses have to use launch services in other countries, including the United States and Japan.
"We have never launched a spaceflight before from this country. Our ambition is to allow for safe and competitive access to space from the UK, so we remain at the forefront of a new commercial space age," aviation minister Tariq Ahmad said in a statement.
