Governance and partnership models for a European SSA capability

Paper number

IAC-08.E3.2.13

Author

Mr. Luca del Monte, European Space Agency (ESA), France

Coauthor

Mrs. Anna Maria Balsano, European Space Agency (ESA), France

Coauthor

Mr. Michael Simm, European Space Agency (ESA), France

Year

2008

Abstract

The overall aim of the Space Situational Awareness (SSA) initiative is to support the European independent utilisation of and access to space for research or services, through providing timely and quality data, information, services and knowledge regarding the environment, the threats and the sustainable exploitation of the outer space surrounding our planet Earth. SSA serves the implementation of the strategic missions of the European Space Policy based on the peaceful uses of outer space by all states, by supporting the autonomous capacity to securely and safely operate the critical European space infrastructures. In order to respond to these issues, ESA has prepared a dedicated programme proposal in view of a decision to be taken by Participating States at the next ESA Council on Ministerial level in November 2008.

During the preparatory phase of the SSA initiative, it emerged clearly that the most challenging issue to be addressed in the development of a European SSA capability concerns the set up of a suitable governance model and its associated data policy. 

Though the future European SSA system will have primarily a strategic value for its stakeholders, the system will be designed to offer the potential for future business opportunities. A preliminary analysis of the potential business models shows indeed that typical candidate customers for purchase of SSA data/products include spacecraft operators, Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) service providers, insurance companies, space application (telecommunication, satellite navigation) service providers, etc. Space weather data can additionally be of interest to terrestrial users such as, airlines, electricity suppliers and surveying companies. In the context of potential commercial exploitation, associated issues and technical boundary conditions have to be considered. In any case, it will be crucial for the future European SSA to offer added value data/information compared to freely available products.

In order to support the stakeholders’ debate on the identification of such governance  and partnership models, ESA has initiated several studies, awarding contracts to major European think-tanks, consultancy and law firms. This paper presents and discusses the preliminary indications emerging from these studies, with a particular attention to the potential partnership models among the various involved institutional and commercial entities.

Abstract document

IAC-08.E3.2.13.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-08.E3.2..pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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