National policy with a global impact: satellite constellations and the UK

Abstract The UK is a nation with burgeoning ambitions for its space sector, which sits alongside a strong astronomical community embedded in major international science projects on the ground and in space. As the primary representative body for UK astronomers, the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) has the challenge of navigating these sometimes competing priorities, working to persuade the British government to give the science of astronomy the protection it requires. This paper summarises where we are, recent policy developments, and thoughts on our future plans.