Space exploration and the RAS

On 13 September, the UK Space Exploration Working Group (UKSEWG) established by the British National Space Centre published its report. It provides the UK Space Board with 12 recommendations on how the UK should engage with the global efforts in a stronger programme of space exploration, backed up by an extensive examination of the issues. Many of these issues involve the interests of the RAS. As two members of Council who served on the UKSEWG, we think it appropriate to complement the report by providing some relevant background and posing some questions that arose in discussion.