National Space Programme 1985-2010
In 1985 the British National Space Centre (BNSC) was formed to coordinate UK space activities.
The BNSC was the third largest financial contributor to the General Budget of the European Space Agency, contributing 17.4%, to its Science Programme and to its robotic exploration initiative the Aurora programme.
Because of the UK policy against manned spaceflight, the UK has not contributed funds towards the International Space Station.
Britain continued to contribute scientific elements to satellite launches and space projects. The British probe Beagle 2, sent as part of the ESA's Mars Express to study the planet Mars, was lost when it failed to respond.
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