A Turning Point For Europe : A Space Vision is Necessary
- Paper number
IAC-06-E3.1.A.04
- Author
Mr. Max Grimard, EADS Astrium, France
- Year
2006
- Abstract
After initial steps through national initiatives and early European ELDO and ESRO organisations, European space activities have really taken off through the ESA creation in the early 70’s. Three phases can be identified in ESA history : the first one “Ambitions and successes” has been paved by a lot of successes (Ariane 1, Spacelab, Telecoms, Science, …); the second one “Higher ambitions and mixed successes/failures” has started in the mid 80’s with a lot of ambitions, in particular with the triad Ariane 5, Columbus, Hermes, but the budget constraints of the early 90’s, as well as technical difficulties have slowed down the dynamics through the reduction or cancellation of some programs, the third one “Stand by”, we are living now, has never recovered from this loss of momentum.
Today European Space is suffering a loss of dynamism from its historical leading countries, and the EU has not really taken over to implement a new political momentum. European Space activities are lacking a real European Vision, defined and backed by the highest political level, and are only “managed within budget constraints”. The result of this situation is budget stagnation, short term case by case decisions, preventing the private sector to invest in the domain by lack of visibility into the future.
In the frame of the European Union building, it is now necessary to define a real Vision for Space in Europe, backed by a clear implementation policy and associated budgets. It means in particular that European leaders, both in the Member States governments and in the European Commission and Parliament, should accept to face key questions and to make political choices :
- which ambition for Europe in Space, both in utilitarian applications, and “inspirational” projects ?
- which level of resources should be devoted to Space (e.g. as a percentage of GDP) ?
- which balance of priorities and resources between applications for citizens(telecommunications, Earth Observation, navigation, …), defence and security, and science and exploration, including manned spaceflight
Since Europe will not implement the same level of funding as the USA, decision makers should recognize in front of their public opinion that they have to make their ambitions coherent with their budgets, and that all space segments cannot be addressed by Europe.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-E3.1.A.04.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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