Space Sciences: Underpinning any space policy
- Paper number
IAC-06-E3.1.A.03
- Author
Prof. David Southwood, European Space Agency/Headquarters, France
- Coauthor
Dr. Volker Liebig, European Space Agency/ESRIN, Italy
- Coauthor
Mr. Daniel Sacotte, European Space Agency (ESA)/ESTEC, The Netherlands
- Coauthor
Mr. Giuseppe Morsillo, European Space Agency/Headquarters, France
- Year
2006
- Abstract
In the European Space Agency, science is seen as having much more than a ‘discovery-driven’ role in satisfying a user science community. Science is also a technology driver with a technology literate user community. Even applications like navigation have roots in science-based initiatives. Science has not only technology spin-off but, most evidently in Earth science, direct feed-through to first market demonstration and then day-to-day application. In addition, science is also international in essence and as such promotes collaborative endeavours. Science is a facilitator. Whatever the ultimate purpose of space exploration (colonisation, exploitation?) science has to be done first to pave the way. Finally, science is inspirational and as such fundamental to space endeavour and to its perception by the general public. One practical managerial consequence of the approach is that ‘science’ cannot be treated as one administrative domain and one has to seek efficient transversal mechanisms for ensuring an agency-wide approach and philosophy.
- Abstract document