ESA ministers commit to closer ties with EU and Galileo budget
Space ministers from the European space agency's (ESA) 15 Member States and Canada concluded a two day meeting on 15 November signalling strong commitment to closer cooperation with the EU and confirming financial commitments to Galileo, Europe's satellite navigation. The new initiatives endorsed by the Council are intended to keep Europe at the forefront of space science and technology, Earth monitoring from space, telecommunications, satellite navigation, launchers, human spaceflight and planetary exploration. Ministers acknowledged the importance of strengthening ties with the European Union by renewing and expanding ESA's mandate to do just this. The Council acknowledged that closer links would enable Europe to exploit the strategic potential of its space systems more effectively, thus furthering its scientific, economic, social and political objectives. The meeting also saw the unanimous adoption of a resolution highlighting the importance of a balanced, ambitious space programme serving Europe's citizens. Regarding Galileo, participants adopted a declaration confirming financial commitments for its development, and are hoping that this contribution will be approved at the EU's Transport council on 6 December. Further collaboration with the EU will focus on the Global monitoring for environment and security programme (GMES) programme, which will address issues such as global change, natural and manmade hazards, environmental trends and monitoring of treaty commitments. The Council also elected to back a programme that will see the Ariane launcher evolve in terms of both power and versatility. Ariane currently holds more than half the world market for commercial launches. The European strategy for independent and affordable access to space is based on the provision of competitive European launch systems. Ministers stressed that if this strategy is to work, an appropriate balance must be struck between the roles, responsibilities and financial commitments of the public and private sectors. On the future shape of the International space station (ISS), ministers sent a message to their US counterparts confirming that ESA will fulfil all of its obligations and consequently expects NASA to keep to the international treaty. The Council adopted a resolution providing the financial resources required by ESA, although release of the final 60 per cent is conditional on NASA's confirmation of the original agreement. ESA's main objective is to see the establishment of an intensive scientific research programme calling for specific onboard resources, one being the presence of full size crews.