Exploration ... Lord Drayson

BRITAIN will become one step closer to exploring the mysteries of the final frontier today as the new national space agency is revealed.

The futuristic body will take on the overall responsibility for all UK space agencies replacing the British National Space Centre.

The groundbreaking new agency will bring Government departments and research councils together under "one roof" to maximise space exploration potential.

Science minister Lord Drayson announced in December that the agency was being set up to help the UK make the most of its "competitive advantage in satellites, robotics and related technologies".

Today Lord Drayson and Business Secretary Lord Mandelson will unveil the name and logo of Britain's mini-version of Nasa, the American agency which sent men to the Moon.

The move followed a 12-week public consultation on how to fund and organise the civil space sector.

Germany, France and Italy all have national space agencies that speak with independent voices and are supported by single budgets.

In contrast, the UK has until now passed space decisions to a club of "users" facilitated by the BNSC.

The new agency will bring together six Government departments, two research councils, the Technology Strategy Board and the Met Office.

Britain's space and satellite sector has grown in real terms by around nine per cent a year since 1999/2000 more than three times faster than the economy as a whole.

It contributes £6.5billion a year to the UK economy and supports 68,000 jobs. In terms of global space science, Britain is second only to the United States.