Though this was announced a little bit ago it blow my mind since the UK has left the EU. Yes they remain an active participant in the European Space Agency (ESA) multiple members of the ESA maintain their own home grown space agencies (France and Italy in particular).
The U.K. has had a different approach to space than its European counterparts, such as Germany, France and Italy, the source explained. Historically, the U.K. has dedicated most of its resources to the European Space Agency (ESA) rather than pursuing a multipronged approach involving a strong domestic space program and bilateral partnerships independent of ESA.
It seems like the biggest issue that politicians and other had with the UK space agency was the fact that they aligned with the ESA so much.... well when you put 80% of someone budget into the ESA activities that is kinda what you are going to get so I am amazed they are shocked at this.
Therefore, over 80% of UKSA's budget has been placed into ESA. The perception in the government was that UKSA was acting more in line with ESA's wishes than with the U.K. government's needs, the source added.
It seems that the UK has decided to put all of its eggs in the ESA basket which much like NASA has had its own share of set backs over the last decade or so. I mean the ESA in theory doesnt answer to anyone and has more issues than NASA could ever imagine.
The agency, plagued by reports of bullying and labor law breaches, has long been criticized for lacking transparency because it is not bound by any freedom-of-information laws.
Not exactly sure I would want my government putting its faith in something that has clearly not been transparent but hey maybe itll somehow work.