Commission gives new details of future European Space Policy
The European Commission has published a communication sketching aspects of the forthcoming European Space Policy. For the first time the document reveals the likely components of the policy, namely: a strategy outlining objectives; a definition of the roles and responsibilities of the main actors; a European Space Programme identifying the priorities of the main actors; and a set of implementing principles. The draft outline has been prepared by a joint EC-European Space Agency (ESA) secretariat, and follows discussions with EU Member State representatives and industry. The paper will be further developed following a meeting of the Space Council on 7 June, and then submitted to the Space Council for approval. The policy is expected to be finalised before the end of 2005. The role of the EU within the future European Space Policy will include defining the priorities and requirements for space-based systems that will serve the EU's main objectives and policies, as well as citizens' needs, and building up political will and user demand in support of these. The EU will also ensure the availability and continuity of services supporting EU policies by funding relevant up-stream research activities, securing deployment and operational phases of space systems and, where appropriate, stimulating user funding. ESA, in agreement with its member countries and cooperating states will be responsible for the technical specification of the space segment of space application programmes; developing and implementing space technologies, in particular in access to space, science and exploration; and pursuing excellence in scientific research in, of and from space. ESA will also advise the EU on space segment requirements needed to ensure the availability and continuity of services. The policy's priorities relate to two objectives: the exploitation and exploration of space. The EU's priorities will be driven by the potential that space has to contribute to its policies and activities, and will therefore focus on applications. In particular, the EU's current priorities are Galileo, its satellite navigations system; GMES (global monitoring for environment and security); and long term research into satellite communication technologies in the context of the European Information Society in 2010 initiative (i2010). ESA will focus on the exploration of space, and on the basic tools on which the exploitation and exploration of space depend: access to space, scientific knowledge and space technologies. The communication states that the European Space Policy will be accompanied by three new instruments: - a sector-specific industrial policy, enabling Europe to ensure the industrial and critical technological sources and competences required; - a policy on international cooperation that meets the wide geopolitical objectives of EU external relations policies; - instruments for investing in programmes and for ensuring their efficient management. In terms of international cooperation, the paper reasserts that 'space activities are global by nature', and recommends that Europe should intensify its partnership with Russia, maintain cooperation with the US in the fields of science and applications, and initiate or extend cooperation with emerging space powers. Much of the funding for the EU's activities will come from the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) for research and technological development. Galileo and GMES were taken into account when the Commission put forward its proposal for FP7, and other activities will also be eligible for funding under the programme's various thematic priorities. Other funding may come from sources such as the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP). The legal framework for the policy has yet to be decided upon. The communication sets out a number of possible scenarios, which include: - the EU taking substantially more responsibility for identifying and bringing together user needs; aggregating political will; ensuring the necessary technology developments to meet these needs; and ensuring the availability and continuity of services; - ESA responding to developments in the relationship with an enlarged EU; - the EU reflecting upon whether it has the appropriate mechanisms for managing its space activities.