Plans to help the next government launch Britain's economy on a multi-billion pound journey into space were set out by industry chiefs.

The "space manifesto" published by ADS, the aerospace, defence and security trade organisation, comes a month after the inauguration of the UK Space Agency, Britain's mini-version of Nasa.

It sets out policies that offer the chance of turning Britain's £6 billion space sector into a heavyweight industry earning £40 billion a year by 2030.

The goal of increasing Britain's share of the global space industry market from six per cent to 10 per cent would be largely industry-driven but dependent on strong government support, says ADS.

Key elements of the "manifesto" include providing ade-quate resources and powers for the UK Space Agency, a government-led National Space Technology Strategy, and the promotion of Stem (science, technology, engineering, maths) in schools.

A future government was also urged to establish Britain's own earth observation capability, develop information and communication space technologies, and use space to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

ADS chairman Ian Godden said: "We are entering a fertile period for our space industry. Space makes the economy global, delivering benefits to the UK as a worldwide trading nation."