Britain’s space agency, established in 1985 and replaced on 1 April 2010 by the United Kingdom Space Agency. BNSC acted on behalf of the UK government and research councils, who spent some £160 million each year on civil space, with about 60% of this channelled through the European Space Agency. The BNSC had been involved in numerous space missions, including Europe’s Giotto spacecraft, and the Mars Express launched in 2003, including its Beagle 2 rover, and the Rosetta spacecraft and lander launched in 2004. It also helped develop innovative space technology and satellite payloads, and assists the UK space industry in maximizing business opportunities, especially concerning telecommunications and navigation satellites.