Britain to launch space agency in April

BEIJING, March 24(Xinhuanet) -- Britain will launch its first national space agency in April to coordinate space-exploring activities while strengthening influence in the industry.

The new agency will be in charge of managing all the money from government and science funding organizations, BBC said Tuesday. It will also represent Britain on space matters in all negotiations with international partners.

With an initial operating budget of 230 million pounds ($346 million), the government said the new UK Space Agency would create thousands of jobs.

“The space and satellite industry supports 68,000 jobs in the UK directly and indirectly now,” Business Secretary Peter Mandelson said. But Science and Innovation Minister Paul Drayson suggested that 100,000 jobs could be created in 20 years.

Currently, most European countries belong to or partner with the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop their space strategies. Italy, Spain, Germany and France have already set up their own space agencies.