HARWELL could become the country’s space exploration capital if a new national space agency is built in the area.

Science Minister Lord Drayson announced the creation of a new British space agency to co-ordinate research while visiting the Rutherford Appleton Space Conference at Harwell.

The Science and Innovation Campus is the most likely site for the new body to establish its headquarters, following the opening of the European Space Agency’s first British research centre there in July.

Plans to set up an International Space Innovation Centre at Harwell are also described as “well advanced” by the estate’s development company, Goodman.

If all three projects go ahead at the science park, it will become the heart of Britain’s £6.5bn space industry.

Last week, seven Russian Space Agency scientists visited the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory after the two countries agreed to share research.

Goodman’s director of science parks, Dr Sally Ann Forsyth, said space research was an important part of the company’s vision for Harwell, and the new national space agency would be “an important partner” to projects on the estate.

She said Lord Drayson, co-founder and former chief executive of Oxford firm PowderJect, had always been a big advocate of Harwell.

Toby Warren, project manager of Science Vale UK, the body set up to promote hi-tech businesses in the area, said: “I’m sure the British Government will be looking to locate different parts of the new space agency in different research centres and universities across the UK. Harwell is the prime location for some part of it because it will complement work already done, and work that will be done as the ESA centre starts to build up.”

MP Ed Vaizey said Harwell was the logical place for the new headquarters.

He said: “It would be a fantastic thing for Harwell and Didcot.

“We are keen to promote Didcot as one of the science capitals of the UK, and this would help cement that position. Along with the Diamond (Light Source), it would be the jewel in the crown.”

A final decision on the agency’s new home is expected to be made early next year.

A Department for Business, Innovation and Skills spokesman said it was unlikely to be sited at the Swindon home of the existing British National Space Centre, which the agency would replace.