A joint government and industry initiative that aims to shape the future success of the U.K. space industry has been launched at Inmarsat's headquarters in London.

An expert group, the Space Innovation Growth Team (IGT), has been formed from among the U.K.'s leading companies, institutions, and government departments involved in the sector to conduct an ambitious six-month review. The Space IGT was unveiled at a joint event held at Inmarsat's HQ by U.K. science minister Lord Drayson, IGT chairman and chief executive of Logica, Andy Green, and Inmarsat chief operating officer Perry Melton.

The group is tasked with creating a 20-year strategy for the industry — and has until the end of 2009 to prepare an initial report for the U.K. government outlining the steps needed to build Britain's leadership in space. The group will seek views from the entire space industry, and industries such as entertainment, navigation, and climate change that rely on space technology. It will set out the challenges and opportunities that govern future value creation, competitiveness and growth in the space sector. The Space IGT will draw on leadership experience from some of Britain's top space companies, including Inmarsat. It will identify the future innovation, technology and investment priorities for the sector and other enablers of growth.