Viscount Stansgate (Lab)

Speaking in the House of Lords on 18 November 2025

Debate

Contribution

I thank my noble friend for that Answer. Two weeks ago today, your Lordships’ UK Engagement with Space Committee, of which I was a member, published its report, The Space Economy: Act Now or Lose Out, which highlighted the issue of space debris. There are tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of bits of junk going round the earth. This was dramatically illustrated last week when three astronauts were unable to leave the Chinese space station to return to earth because their spacecraft was hit—probably by space debris. Satellites are a critical part of our national infrastructure. What strategy are the Government adopting to protect our satellites and other elements of critical national infrastructure and to encourage the UK to play its part in the space economy of the future? Will these issues be raised at the European Space Agency Ministerial Council next week?

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