The UK’s first National Space Policy has been launched as Britain’s first astronaut prepares to blast off to the International Space Station.

The Government has announced plans to make the UK the European hub for commercial space flight and space technologies, with investments in space flight and microgravity research that will give an £11.8bn boost to the economy.

The Business Secretary, Sajid Javid, said: “For decades mankind has dreamt of space travel, and from today the UK will trigger the next scientific revolution to turn science fiction into science fact.

“Not only are we celebrating the launch of the first UK Government-backed astronaut, but our first-ever space policy will build on the inspiration he provides to grow our burgeoning space industry. Historically we haven’t been a major player in space programmes; this policy will change that.”

A visitor’s guide to the International Space Station Show all 8 1 /8 A visitor’s guide to the International Space Station A visitor’s guide to the International Space Station The training's over, Tim… next stop: the greatest lab in the universe! (NASA) NASA A visitor’s guide to the International Space Station Your sleep pod – don't forget your sleeping bag (NASA) NASA A visitor’s guide to the International Space Station Alcohol is barred on the ISS, but you won't escape daft initiations – such as drinking a blob of floating water (NASA) NASA A visitor’s guide to the International Space Station Keep your fingers crossed for a pop at a spacewalk: repairs are scheduled for January (Getty/NASA) Getty/NASA A visitor’s guide to the International Space Station Floating about is a joy, but it takes about a month to crack it (NASA) NASA A visitor’s guide to the International Space Station There's work to do, including 300 ongoing experiments and repairs to billion-dollar devices (NASA) NASA A visitor’s guide to the International Space Station Wash down the spicy prawns with some recycled urine (NASA) NASA A visitor’s guide to the International Space Station Savour every second; soon enough, you'll be brought back down to Earth (NASA) NASA

The policy will also support “numerous vital services” including disaster relief, defence and transport, and create 100,000 new jobs by 2030.

Meanwhile, the former Science minister, Lord Willetts, confessed to feeling “romantic” about Britain’s spacefaring future. Speaking at an airport in Moscow ahead of British astronaut Tim Peake’s rocket launch to the International Space Station tomorrow, he said: “Britain’s got its mojo back in space. We’re self confident and recognise that we have a significant role to play.

“I hope in future there will be more British astronauts. The International Space Station’s life will come to an end some time in the 2020s. The next project will be a lunar base. I would like us to be part of that, and also a [manned] mission to Mars looking further ahead.