European Space Agency plans for the future
On 12 April 1999, European Space Agency (ESA) Director General Antonio Rodota and Acting Director for Strategy and Technical Assessment Jean-Jacques Dordain will outline the proposals to be made to the ESA Council gathering at Ministerial level in Brussels on 11 and 12 May 1999. The main objective of the Council meeting is to shape the future of the space sector in Europe by setting out the goals and establishing the priorities that are required for Europe to continue playing a major role in space activities. The Ministers will be asked to endorse ESA's new strategy and its role in working with national players, intergovernmental organizations, European Union institutions and industry to respond to the challenges awaiting Europe. They will also be asked to decide within the ESA's long-term plan covering the period 1999 to 2006: - New programmes for space science; - Access to space (launchers); - Space applications (earth observation, telecommunications, navigation and multimedia); - Exploitation of the international space station and advanced technology.