Alone in space

Over the past 40 years, the European Union has become central to UK space research policy. But on the eve of a meeting of Europe’s space ministers, Cristina Gallardo finds delegates contemplating the prospect of life outside planet Brexit.

This week’s gathering of ministers of the European Space Agency countries, held on 1 and 2 December, is the first to take place under the gloomy shadow of Brexit.

Although Brexit is not on the official agenda of the Lucerne meeting, it will be the talk of the fringes and in the minds of everyone attending.