3.3. Bridging the "digital divide"
3.4. Space as a contribution to the CFSP, the ESDP and to the anticipation and monitoring of humanitarian crises.
Europe needs an extended space policy, driven by demand, able to exploit the special benefits space technologies can deliver in support of the Union's policies and objectives: faster economic growth, job creation and industrial competitiveness, enlargement and cohesion, sustainable development and security and defence.
The European Space Agency (ESA), EU and ESA Member States with their national space agencies, research centres, and industry all deserve credit for having established Europe as a key player in space. This White Paper is a call to action to these partners, including the space industry, to mobilise behind new goals and to rise to new challenges.
European Space Policy will be implemented within a multi-annual European Space Programme which will be the mechanism for determining priorities, setting objectives, allocating roles and responsibilities and framing annual budgets. Its scope must embrace R&D, infrastructure development, services and technology and it should be reviewed and updated regularly.
The policy will require an increase in overall expenditure to develop and deploy applications and to support the research and development, technology and infrastructures. In the context of its future Financial Perspectives, the Union should consider adding resources to be allocated in response to the needs of EU policies.
If Europe does not adopt the proposed approach to space policy, it will decline as a "space power" because of an inability to develop new technologies and sustain applications with serious consequent damage to its overall competitiveness.
Europe already possesses many of the capabilities needed to develop the services and applications that will support EU policies. It has deployed operational communication and meteorological systems and has adopted an ambitious programme for satellite navigation, timing and positioning (GALILEO) and will present in January 2004 its plan for implementing global monitoring and earth observation system (Global Monitoring for the Environment and Security: GMES). In addition to supporting a wide range of civil policies, space systems can also provide direct contributions to the Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy and its European Security and Defence Policy.
International co-operation offers good opportunities for building Europe's strength in space technologies and applications through partnerships with the US, Russia and emerging "space nations".
Implementation of a European Space Policy would come in two phases: the first (2004-2007) will consist of implementing the activities covered by the recently agreed Framework Agreement between the European Community and ESA; and the second (2007 onwards) will start after the coming into force of the European Constitutional Treaty which is expected to establish space as a shared competence between the Union and its Member States.
This is an important moment in the history of Europe. With the future Constitutional Treaty now under discussion the Union will enter a new and more political phase aiming at a closer relationship with its citizens.
This is also an important moment in the history of Europe's activities in space. The time has come to place them on the Union's political agenda at the heart of the European construction process by putting space applications linked to inspirational goals at the service of the enlarged Europe and of its citizens.
After 40 years of solid European achievement in the development of space sciences, technologies and applications, the Commission proposes in this White Paper to make a qualitative leap forward in the continent's ambitions for, and organisation of, this key sector.
The Commission is convinced of the essential support that space technologies can bring to the Union's policies and objectives and also of their tremendous social, economic, and commercial potential. It recommends: (i) putting additional efforts into a variety of space infrastructures and applications, which will make unique contributions to satisfy the needs of the citizens and to respond to the Union's political objectives, (ii) consolidating the existing scientific and technical basis of space activities. It also urges a change of the governance paradigm so as to give the Union new responsibilities for driving, funding and co-ordinating activities within an extended Space Policy.
The European Space Agency (ESA), Member States and their national space agencies, research centres, together with industry, all deserve the credit for having established Europe as a key player in space. The White Paper is a call to action to these stakeholders to mobilise behind new ambitious goals. It also seeks to spur the European space industry to rise to new challenges. The policy objective is a more secure and predictable framework that will help companies to plan and invest and to build larger share of commercial and institutional markets.
These proposals, which are based on detailed analysis, take into account the outcome of the intensive consultations carried out on the issues raised in the Green Paper on Space Policy published in January 2003. Separate conferences and workshops were organised in ten European capitals and the Commission is grateful to those who sent in the several hundred submissions.
There is a strong will in Europe to put our scientific talents, our technologies and our entrepreneurial skills in the space sector at the service of Europe and its citizens. This White Paper explains why we should do so and how we should do it. On some of the issues addressed, precise conclusions cannot yet be identified, but mechanisms and milestones to pursue them are set.
The White Paper aims to become a point of reference: it provides an Action Plan ("European Space Programme") including a list of recommended actions for the implementation of the European Space Policy. Its success will be measured by the benefits the European Union, its citizens and the space sector derive from this endeavour.
Europe has equipped itself as a space player over the past 40 years with a wide range of capabilities in rocket launch, satellite technologies, space sciences and applications and user services. This is an impressive achievement.
Until now, several European countries have been pursuing their national goals while also benefiting from a European dimension derived from pooling most of their efforts within the framework of the European Space Agency (ESA).
This White Paper seeks to build on past successes and existing competencies at all levels in order to achieve more cost-effective support for European Union policies and objectives from space technologies, infrastructures and services than is currently being delivered. The political framework of the Union is the only adequate one to provide the appropriate conditions to reap the benefits of an extended policy.
The Commission's recommendations require all stakeholders to work and combine successfully behind a common vision. One of its ingredients should be confidence that the space policy will help Europe be a better neighbour and a respected global partner. The Union will be better able to act in defence of its core values of democracy, respect for the rule of law, sustainable development and maintenance of peace and order through dialogue and diplomacy.
In addition, the Union will be more strongly equipped as a global leader in the political, economic and scientific spheres. By investing in the right domains and in effective programmes, an extended space policy will help raise the Union's political standing in the world, sharpen its economic competitiveness and enhance its reputation for scientific excellence. Europe's enthusiasm for international co-operation in space activities means that many of the benefits of space policy can be shared with mankind in general.
Finally, good progress in the economic, social and scientific development of the new Member States must feature prominently in any vision of the Union's future. An extended space policy can accelerate their climb to higher levels of prosperity and social and cultural achievement.
This White Paper is not about trying to build Europe's prestige on new foundations. It is about the need to secure new infrastructures and services and to open up new opportunities. Its ambitions are practical and realistic and expenditure must match ambition.
A broader, cost-effective space policy will need an increase in overall expenditure in the medium and long term. Redistributing current budgets will not take us forward. This is not a proposal to climb steadily towards United States' levels of spending - more than seven times higher per capita than in Europe - but to develop concrete actions designed to respond to concrete needs and to deliver genuine benefits, with a progressive increase of budget to match.
* decline of its capacities as a key spaceplayer, if its growth does not keep pace with the global evolution in the space sector. Ability to develop and sustain new technologies and applications could be jeopardised.
* decline of its leading space companies because of weak commercial markets and lack of public investment in new programmes.
Section 2 gives a broad account of the applications and technologies that can be matched to the Union's chief policy challenges. Section 3 outlines specific activities that are under development to support key EU policies and objectives. Section 4 recommends detailed actions for securing and building upon Europe's current scientific and technological capabilities and for strengthening its space industry which are prerequisites for realising applications in support of EU policy objectives. Section 5 outlines some necessary changes in the governance and financing of Europe's space activities.
Annex 1 presents a first outline of a possible European Space Programme and a roadmap derived from the recommendations detailed in this White Paper. A first analysis of the resources required for its implementation is provided in Annex 2. Annex 3 summarises the main outcome of the consultation process. A glossary is provided in Annex 4.
However, the actual and potential benefits of space technologies cannot be fully secured under present institutional and budgetary arrangements. These are mainly focused on Research and Development and are not appropriate for an optimal exploitation of space assets.
Failure to derive such benefits would have significant consequences for Europe's economy and its role in the world. As a horizontal policy, space is especially relevant for supporting Europe's economic prospects, agriculture policy goals, levels of employment, its management of the environment and its foreign and security policies.
Space technologies lend themselves well to address questions which are of large-scale and global nature. Space is not the answer to every problem, but it should occupy an important place in Europe's policy toolbox. In the transport and agricultural sectors a number of policy challenges are already being addressed with the help of space technologies.
Some other policy challenges, which have become the Union's objectives following their endorsement by European Councils, are listed below. The Space policy will offer valuable contributions to many of them, at an affordable cost and with greater efficiency.
Space tools: Satellite telecommunications are part of a technology portfolio that may deliver broadband access to the 20% of the EU's population where it cannot be made available in the medium term. It can contribute to closing the "digital divide" with the new Member States and beyond in complement of terrestrial solutions.
The European Council in Gothenburg adopted in June 2001 a strategy for sustainable development. The Council noted that its objectives had "the potential to unleash a new wave of technological innovation and investment, generating growth and employment." The Council has asked for the establishment in 2008 of a European capacity for global monitoring for environment and security.
Space tools: Earth observation from space supports sound environmental management and protection by providing basic homogeneous observations with unsurpassed coverage on climate and weather, oceans, fisheries, land and vegetation. Space has enabled a weather prediction over 5 days. A sustainable agricultural model could, as well, benefit from the use of Earth observation tools. Likewise, the control of the applications of the Kyoto protocol will require European independent space capabilities.
In the coming years, the Union will have to achieve the Helsinki goals, encompassing capabilities such as the contact with rapid deployment forces and global intelligence.
Space tools: To be credible and effective, any CFSP and ESDP must be based on autonomous access to reliable global information so as to foster informed decision-making.
Space technologies and infrastructures ensure access to knowledge, information and military capabilities on the ground that can only be available through the capacity to launch, develop and operate satellites providing global communications, positioning and observation systems. At the same time, space-based systems can provide a higher level of security for citizens, allowing, for example, a better enforcement of border and coastal control and identifying humanitarian crises in their early stages.
The European Council has set the objective of raising total R&D spending in the Union from 1.8% to 3% of gross domestic product by 2010. Moving ahead with TEN-T is set to rekindle economic growth. Realising the TEN-T priorities is projecting gains for the Union's economy and society, estimated in the long term at 0.23% growth in GDP.
Space tools: The Union is the largest provider of development aid in the world. Space technologies can strengthen its development efforts, and help other countries to develop access to information, raise skills levels and better manage their resources.
In addition to supporting the creation of commercial communication infrastructures, space technologies such as Earth observation and global positioning systems can be employed in a variety of tasks including: protecting soils and managing water resources; monitoring crop development and forecasting food production; providing early warning for flood and fire risk; monitoring the tropical forest; preventing ground-motion hazards; ensuring coastal and maritime monitoring; forecasting, preventing and managing natural disasters.
The preceding chapter indicated how space tools can help the Union to realise its policy objectives. In the following pages, flagship initiatives of this space policy are presented. They will need financial support from the Union, ESA and Member States in solid partnership with the private sector.
Each of these initiatives directly or indirectly will improve people's lives. They can also contribute to Europe's security and ability to enhance its positive role in international co-operation. Rolling out the three applications set out below is a key element of the European Growth Initiative goal for boosting investments in networks and knowledge.
To ensure a globally competitive, independent satellite-based European capability for navigation, timing and positioning that will be financially viable in the long term.
To provide Europe with a navigation and positioning alternative with strong commercial and job-creation prospects that delivers services of direct benefit to citizens and EU policies.
Proposed by the European Commission in February 1999, the GALILEO international programme for radio navigation by satellite is the first large project jointly funded by the Union and ESA. In May 2003, the two organisations cleared the way for implementation of the development phase of the GALILEO programme.
- a new example of public-private partnership: its development phase is being managed by a Joint Undertaking comprising investors' representatives. Later on, private companies will operate and manage the system under a concession scheme.
GALILEO's constellation of 30 satellites and associated ground stations is designed to provide a set of services on a global basis by 2008. The market outlook is promising: demand for satellite navigation services and derived products around the world is growing at a rapid 25% a year and could reach EUR275 bn by 2020, in the process creating 100,000 skilled jobs. Accession countries will be offered participation in its management structure.
The use of GALILEO signals from space can be combined with other global positioning systems to provide more robust services. A wide range of categories of applications have been identified in a wide variety of commercial services. They cover areas as diverse as transport, energy, finance, insurance, fisheries, agriculture, environment, geology, science and public works. The system will also serve individual needs - for example, its navigation facilities will help the visually impaired and those in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.
- ensuring the availability of regulating and certification procedures as well as mechanisms for collecting revenues.
To maximise the use of space data in support of sustainable development policies with particular regard to the protection of the environment, the management of resources and the quality of life and security of citizens.
To derive a wide variety of services to support key environmental policies and foreign and security policy goals.
At the Gothenburg Summit in June 2001, the European Council called for "establishing by 2008 a European capacity for global monitoring of environment and security". As a response, the Global Monitoring for the Environment and Security (GMES) was set-up jointly by the European Commission and the European Space Agency as an initiative to provide independent, operational and relevant information in support of a range of policies serving sustainable objectives such as environment, agriculture, fisheries, transport, regional development. It will also support objectives linked to the implementation of a Common Foreign and Security Policy as well as to early warning and rapid damage assessment in natural disasters.
GMES ensures Europe's interest to be an actor on the global scene, relying on independent means for gathering data and information. It answers at the same time the recognition that the design, conduct and evaluation of policies must be based on appropriate knowledge.
Its potential value in relation to the requirements of the common European Security and Defence Policy is currently being assessed.
Over the past 10-15 years considerable progress has been made in supplying data from satellites. Observation from orbiting satellites presents advantages for monitoring, as they are global tools that can repetitively observe every corner of the Earth and provide global assessments as well as detailed views on specific locations.
Space-borne Earth observation technologies contribute to the objectives of GMES, alongside in situ monitoring capabilities, with which they are integratedby information and communication technologies.
The GMES capacity is geared towards the delivery of sustainable services supported by observation systems that may be in space, on the ground, in the air or sea-borne. Its potential and range could be significantly increased through combining with positioning systems and telecommunication satellites.
The implementation of GMES will include a structured dialogue with the users and the construction of a pan European partnership, associating owners and operators of existing or planned observation systems with adequate mechanisms for sharing data and information. In first instance, GMES is about bringing together existing and future users in need of environment and security data, such as environment departments, civil protection authorities. The GMES framework should serve to federate user requirements at a European level, to gather sufficient critical mass and to better use existing infrastructures and systems.
Preparatory activities have been undertaken respectively by the Commission under the Framework Programme for Research and by ESA in the context of the GMES Services Element programme. The EU Council has requested the Commission and ESA to report at the end of the initial period (2001-2003). Drawing lessons from this experience, the Commission will present in January 2004 an Action Plan for the Implementation Period (2004-2008), bringing the EU, ESA, Member States, EUMETSAT and other stakeholders into an overall approach.
Land management to support areas including agricultural policies, sustainable development of crops, early warning for food security, soil protection, management of natural resources, monitoring of bio-diversity, and urban planning.
Ocean monitoring to improve understanding of climate change and to support the sustainable management of resources e.g. fisheries. Maritime transport requires adequate surveillance for increased safety and environmental protection.
Atmosphere monitoring to contribute to understanding climate change, analysis of weather events and measurement of pollutants that damage human health. Services will provide real time information on atmospheric chemistry, pollution, aerosols and ozone components.
The management of water resources as highlighted at the Johannesburg World Summit on sustainable development in 2002 is an issue for the next decades. Services could support human and agriculture access to clean water.
Risk management is required for natural and industrial hazards that threaten peoples' lives and cause significant damages to infrastructures. Services will include the provision of information on industrial hazards, floods, earthquakes, storms, forest fires, landslides and drought.
Humanitarian aid and security policies need tools for support, through the provision of mapping and decision support for aid and reconstruction, de-mining and development of tools for crisis management and conflict prevention.
These various services will require the use of specific Earth observation systems, in particular sensor technologies such as: high- and medium-resolution, optical and radar imagers for land surface, coastal zone and ocean monitoring; advanced optical and microwave sensors for atmospheric composition measurements and advanced active and passive microwave instruments for ocean monitoring.
These systems will complement the necessary ground, air and sea-borne observation systems and will also require in situ components for data validation purposes. Activities to establish the GMES capacity will therefore require the promotion and development of interoperable in situ elements and their links to data collection, data management and communications infrastructure, including satellite communications. Particular attention will have to be paid to the promotion of interoperability between existing systems.
The efficient use of data collected by space, ground, air and sea-borne systems and their integration with socio-economic information will depend also on the availability of co-ordinated data policies and appropriate spatial data infrastructures. This will enable services to find, access, share and trade data and information without unnecessary restrictions.
- a joint European research and development work plan including scenarios for demonstrator projects under the Framework programme.
* The Commission should propose scenarios for the interface between civil and security usage.
To achieve the objectives set out in the eEurope 2005 Action Plan and ensure widespread high speed Internet availability and usage throughout the enlarged European Union.
To use to the full the potential offered by all available broadband technologies (including satellite communications) to bridge the digital divide.
Satellite technologies do not only allow the achievement of the public policy goals presented in the previous two sections, they also constitute an infrastructure for the delivery of electronic communications services. This market is a commercial one characterised by an intense competition between operators and technologies. In the European Union, electronic communications infrastructures and services are subject to the new regulatory framework, which is based on a technologically neutral approach.
Through its eEurope 2005 Action Plan,  endorsed by the Sevilla European Council in June 2002, the Union has set itself the objective of providing a favourable environment for private investment and for the creation of new jobs, to boost productivity, to modernise public services and to give everyone the opportunity to participate in the global information society. To achieve this objective, widespread availability and usage of broadband and high-speed internet throughout the European Union needs to be established.
Still, a large number of European households living in remote areas - as many as 14 million - do not have a realistic perspective of achieving access to high speed internet before many years. This constitutes a serious obstacle to making the benefits of the information society available to all citizens and firms in the European Union.
The prospects for many of the less developed partners of the EU, especially in Africa, are also a concern. Bridging the digital divide at a global level to ensure that all parts of the world can reap the benefits from the information society is at the heart of the World Summit on the information society that will be held in Geneva in December 2003 and Tunis in 2005.
The EU Member States are committed to putting in place broadband national strategies by the end of 2003; in some, there is a dynamic emerging market for the provision of broadband access in remote and rural areas. However, the picture remains fragmented and it may be difficult for local or regional communities in different countries to consider on their own solutions of more global coverage which could generate broader economies of scale. They should, therefore, be encouraged to compare their needs to see whether common solutions can be shared.
Satellite technologies may constitute appropriate solutions, especially for rural, peripheral and island regions, but their adoption should be based on cost effectiveness. The enlargement of the Union puts these opportunities into a new perspective.
Broadband access can be provided through a variety of networks and platforms such as xDSL offered over telephone lines, cable modem over cable networks, fibre optics, satellites, wireless solutions and powerline communications. These technologies can be substitutes, competing with each other, but also complementing and completing and co-existing with each other according to local geographical needs.
The resulting technological choice will largely depend on the local conditions and on the needed investment (e.g. some schools may only require funding for the connections to the final user, others may even need it for the backhaul).
- drawing lessons and identifying best practices from running initiatives.
The Commission will report on the Forum's outcome in the Summer 2004.
In line with the Forum's work, the Commission should encourage the setting up of innovative, pan-European, large-scale pilot projects.
To mobilise EU decision making to reinforce space technologies in support of security and defence policy requirements.
To supplement existing space-based capabilities in Europe and examine new ones needed for establishing a credible security capability with high EU added value.
Space technology, infrastructure and services are an essential support to one of the most rapidly evolving EU policies - the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) including European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP). Most space systems are inherently capable of multiple use and the credibility of the above policies will be significantly strengthened by taking better advantage of space applications.
ESDP needs access to suitable space-based systems and services, both because of their strategic capabilities and because they confer a capacity for autonomous decision-making. Nowadays, most of the information used at the EU level comes from satellites operated in national or bilateral or intergovernmental frameworks. It is essential to guarantee access in the long term to strategic information for collective use by EU Member States by supporting space infrastructures.
Space-based assets can deliver a higher level of security for citizens, especially in an enlarged Union. Their powers of surveillance allow for a better enforcement of border and coastal restrictions and, therefore, more effective controls on illegal immigration and trafficking. They can also enhance conflict prevention by keeping a close watch on potential security threats and identifying humanitarian crises in their early stages.
The European Union Military Committee has clearly stated that space assets can be efficient tools for crisis management operations. For its part, the EU Political and Security Committee has recommended further reflection on how to ensure that security and defence aspects are taken into account in the determination of EU space policy and its programmes.
It is obvious that security and military users have special requirements and protocols will have to be established to reconcile military and civil use of multiple-use assets. This will have to take into account, for example, the military requirement to retain control of exclusive access to certain categories of information, with a real-time capacity for reaction.
No single Member State will ever have the means to develop and support the full range of the necessary capabilities and better value for money could be achieved by various forms of co-operation at the EU level. Approaches should be developed to ensure dual use of space assets in function of user requirements defined at a European level. In addition to telecoms and observation satellites already used for security purposes, further developments are needed in the field of global monitoring, positioning, navigation and timing and communication, signal intelligence, early warning and space surveillance, to meet the security objectives of the EU and of its Member States.
- anticipation and monitoring of humanitarian crises.
The EU should establish the organisation necessary for the GMES services to meet the Union's collective requirements for imagery and mapping for security, taking into account existing structures.
Overall, GMES could contribute to humanitarian and rescue tasks, peacekeeping and supporting combat forces in crisis management tasks including peacemaking.
The multinational military initiative, "Common Operational Requirements for a European Global Satellite System" to which six EU countries have subscribed, describes the common operational specifications needed to develop a military global satellite observation system. This agreement, which needs to be extended to other EU Member States, represents a useful instrument for defining a European approach vis-à-vis ground segment and infrastructure.
- space surveillance allowing the EU an autonomous capacity to detect and identify space objects.
A specific effort might also be needed to ensure that Europe has the capacity to supply to the different users critical information on solar flares, near Earth objects, space debris, ("space weather" prediction).
A great deal of assessment is still needed about the capabilities and role of space policy in support of defence and security. The Commission, for its part, is prepared to contribute to an overall assessment of existing capacities and future requirements and identification of the additional investments needed for the development of a comprehensive EU space-based defence and security capability.
- the potential role of the EU Satellite Centre and the role of ESA.
* The Commission to ensure its preparatory action on security research is launched early in 2004.
To forge international partnerships that will serve European space policy objectives in support of EU policies across a broad spectrum.
To weigh up, in the context of the existing political agreements, the benefits of establishing a strategic partnership with Russia, of maintaining and developing Europe's long-standing partnership with the United States, and of exploiting other emerging possibilities of co-operation with new "space powers" such as Brazil, China, India, Japan and Ukraine.
Space is a privileged instrument for developing international co-operations. Exploration and use of space, by nature, are global ventures. Numerous collaborations have been built up in many fields of space activity. Strong European capabilities in space technologies and applications are essential prerequisites for ensuring balanced and successful international partnerships.
International co-operation within a European space policy is not simply a matter of scientific collaboration on technologies and applications. It should be in function of serving the widest-possible spectrum of the EU's objectives including economic and social development, protection of the environment, education, health, science, technology and security.
Existing areas of co-operation such as human spaceflight, solar system exploration, space and Earth sciences could be extended into new fields of applications for improving infrastructures, social development and security in their broadest sense. These would include satellite telecommunications, Earth observation and navigation. During the Green Paper process expressions of interest were received from a number of countries.
* Co-operation with "space powers" especially in areas where Europe is unlikely to achieve its goal by acting alone. These collaborations would be coherent with the EU Member States' and ESA's bilateral activities with third parties.
The long-standing space partnership with the United States is a valuable one. Although the US space policy aims at establishing US space dominance, this partnership could be further deepened in a number of areas including space science, human spaceflight and sustainable development. However, the possibilities may well be altered by the ongoing revision of US space policy involving fundamental questions to do with the future of space access systems and human spaceflight. Many of these questions should be answered by the end of 2003.
Recognising Russia's outstanding experience and capabilities in the space sector, Europe should extend current areas of co-operation, which include joint research and development in the field of launcher technology, and build a new strategic and long-range partnership with the Russian Federation. This would have to be based on clear long-term commitments and should build on the framework of the existing Partnership and Co-operation Agreement.
The most recent fruit of Europe's space co-operation with Russia is the agreement that will bring the medium-class launcher Soyuz to the Guyana Space Centre from 2006. Set up and maintained jointly by ESA and the French government, the Centre already accommodates Ariane 5 infrastructure (owned by ESA) and provides range facilities and systems funded by the French space agency, CNES. Since the Soyuz infrastructure is crucial for collaboration with Russia, it could be appropriate for the Union to cover a share of the relevant costs of the Space Centre.
A diversified approach to co-operation needs to be a key element in Europe's policy so as to maximise benefits and minimise risks. Candidates for co-operation among other established or emerging space powers are the People's Republic of China, India and Japan. Ukraine deserves particular attention as a country with a recognised space sector covered by the EU's Wider Europe policy initiative.
China in particular will emerge as a major space player, mastering the full range of space technologies and is likely to generate the world's largest demand for space infrastructures, which partly explains its recent commitment to the GALILEO programme. In addition, the number of nations using satellites for peaceful purposes is growing and space co-operation should be on the agenda of bilateral discussions between them and the Union.
This co-operation must embrace as a matter of priority those countries about to join the Union and those with whom the Union is promoting a range of neighbourhood policies, notably the "Wider Europe" approach to relations with eastern and southern neighbours and the related Barcelona initiative with countries of North Africa and the Middle East. Both frameworks offer scope for using space applications in support of economic and social development and environmental protection.
The benefits of space should also be made available to developing countries. Applications such as Earth observation and telecommunication could help them down the path of sustainable economic and social development. In this context, the EU should examine potential co-operation frameworks with international development banks and UN agencies in order to identify where space assets can best support a developing country's development strategies and to implement such initiatives in a globally comprehensive and efficient manner. Africa will be considered as one of the geographical priorities in the context of Johannesburg Action plan.
The strength of Europe's capabilities is increasingly enabling it to act as a key space player at the global level. The EU will have to take responsibility for defining and representing the external dimension of the European space programme.
At the Earth Observation Summit in Washington in July 2003, Europe offered to co-operate with participating states and international organisations to develop a 10-year strategy to improve and sustain global Earth observation systems. This followed on from the Johannesburg Summit in 2002 and the G-8 Evian Summit in 2003 which recognised the role of Earth observation and the use of satellite technology for monitoring the atmosphere, land and oceans to produce high-quality data for dissemination to all, particularly the developing countries.
The strategy for Earth observation being defined by the GMES initiative should serve as a basis for co-operation in support of the commitments Europe has made in these global fora. Furthermore, Europe is well placed to significantly contribute to global climate observing systems for which space represents a crucial technology.
Lastly, through its membership of international organisations such as in the United Nations, the EU should participate in initiatives relevant to its space objectives and ensure an appropriate contribution to the development of new global rules and standards.
- The EU should maintain and develop its long-standing partnership with the US and build a strategic partnership with the Russian Federation (including the support for Soyuz at the Guyane Space Centre); it should also contribute to provide a better information to policy makers in the developing countries.
Europe's list of achievements in space sciences and applications, largely delivered through collaboration in the European Space Agency and also through national efforts, have established the continent as a competitive actor in many public and commercial markets.
Europe enjoys the means to pursue its own space activities in the field of launchers, satellites, space sciences and applications. In addition, it has deployed operational communication systems, has adopted ambitious programmes for satellite navigation, timing and positioning and for earth observation and global monitoring. This base is today relying upon public investment, mostly national R&D budgets, and commercial resources derived from launchers services and telecommunication satellites sales.
But space policy has to look forwards not backwards. New competitors are aiming for strategic positions in space: China is already a force in satellite launchers and has recently successfully accomplished its first human spaceflight. Brazil and India are about to enter the launcher market. Moreover, the commercial market is well below previous levels and increasingly competitive.
EU enlargement and the European construction process are generating new needs and demands for space systems. Europe has, therefore, to consolidate the fundamental elements on which a space policy depends for its implementation: access to space, the scientific and technology base and industrial capabilities. This chapter outlines specific recommendations for achieving this goal.
Much of the European space industry's potential growth lies in implementation of the EU's policies. The need for the development and exploitation of new space infrastructures and exploitation of existing and new space systems will benefit the overall European space community, and would lay the ground for a competitive and advanced industry able to supply the applications and services for helping to deliver many of the Union's top policy priorities and to be successful on commercial markets.
To achieve independent access to space on an affordable basis.
Space programmes and services that raise the effectiveness of EU policies and strengthen economic performance and the quality of life of the citizen.
The strategic pre-requisite to implement any space policy in the Union is that the EU must have and maintain independent access to space.
This independence must be sustained on an affordable basis, investments in this field having long lead times. An essential counterpart to public funding is that European manufacturers of launchers must operate competitively and profitably in commercial markets, not least because of the limited volume of institutional launches and the need for a sufficient rate to maintain reliable levels of performance.
Europe's Ariane family of launchers has a good record in operating competitively and successfully in favourable market conditions. However, the lack of institutional demand and the recent, severe downturn in commercial demand, coupled with extremely aggressive pricing by competitors, has put the Ariane system under enormous strain, highlighting in the process its very high dependence on purely commercial business.
US competitors, by contrast, have been consistently supported by a large institutional market and a strict preferential policy of flying government missions only on US-made launchers. This difference of approach is a concern for European authorities.
The European Guaranteed Access to Space (EGAS) programme 2005-2009 recently adopted by ESA Member States in May 2003, is an exceptional measure to provide both a short term recovery for Arianespace and medium term support, in order for the European launcher industry to be competitive by the end of the programme. It highlights the conditions to be met for the long-term stability of this European strategic asset.
ESA is the lead agency for launch vehicle and infrastructure development with national space agencies providing technical support. The heavy-lift Ariane-5 launcher, capable of the most demanding institutional and commercial missions and relying on European technology, is the platform for maintaining Europe's independence as regards access to space.
Launcher development is never static and the business is a risky one. To remain a competitive presence on global launcher markets, Ariane-5 needs constant improvement in performance, reliability and cost through a steady process of new development and technical upgrading. This effort is also vital for retaining critical levels of expertise in the industry.
Europe's range of launcher products is being strengthened by the development of the small-class Vega launcher and by a recent agreement that will bring the medium-class Russian-built Soyuz to the Guyana Space Centre (CSG) from 2006. Both will add greater flexibility and responsiveness to Europe's launch services, in particular for smaller institutional missions.
As explained above in chapter 3.5, the European launch base in French Guyana has been set up and maintained jointly by ESA and the French government. As the launching state France also assumes the relevant international responsibilities.
While the ESA-CNES range complex has been consistently funded since the early days of the Ariane programme, financial support for the dedicated Ariane-5 launch facilities has been more irregular. The EGAS programme represents an effort to maintain key Ariane-5 assets both in French Guyana and in continental Europe through selected fixed costs funding over the medium-term (2005-2009). This form of government commitment to carrying fixed costs has been used in the US and Russia for no less than four decades and is likely to continue.
Maintenance and upkeep of both the Ariane-5 production facility and the Guyana Space Centre are critical to assured European access to space. These infrastructures must be considered as projects of common European interest and funded accordingly.
The ESA Future Launchers Preparatory Programme prepares for mid-term evolutions of existing launch systems and for a decision around 2010 on the next generation of European launchers. It does not, however, cover basic launcher, reusable launch vehicle and propulsion technology research, which remains dispersed among national and ESA programmes and not properly funded. Establishing an integrated European approach and restoring an adequate level of effort in the preparation of a new generation launch vehicle is the most promising and affordable way to ensure the long-term competitiveness and reliability of European access to space.
- ESA to remain the lead agency for launcher development while the EU should commit funding for sustaining operational ground infrastructure as an area of common European interest complementing a coherent European launcher initiative (notably in view of a strategic partnership with Russia).
To optimise and co-ordinate the use of R&D resources to close technology gaps jeopardising Europe's independence and worldwide competitiveness.
Much improved exploitation of European sources of space technologies in support of EU policies (including security).
Europe needs a broad technological base if it is to be capable of acting independently in space and sustain a space industry that is competitive in global markets. Public support for R&D in space technologies is imperative because of the high costs and risks involved, and the comparatively low returns from commercial and institutional markets.
Thanks to the investments of Member States through ESA, the EU and national agencies and research organisations, Europe has access to a solid technological and industrial base, mastering most of the critical technologies.
- Europe's limited commitment to defence-related space activities leads to technological deficiencies due to insufficient investments in some areas.
Technology dependence may limit the capabilities of European industry to respond to the challenges inherent in supporting EU policies and competing in commercial markets, in particular in the field of security and defence.
Autonomy and independence can be served by a joint effort between the EU, ESA, national agencies and industry. In their definition and development, space technologies have to anticipate future needs if they are to deliver applications and services in a timely fashion for the Union and for the market.
Timely delivery requires continuous dialogue and co-ordination between technology providers and users and the full exploitation of the dual-use nature of space technology through joint civil and defence technology R&D, to the benefit of an expanding institutional market.
In order to address the challenges and to ensure the coherence of continued investment, Europe has recently established a set of technology foresight and harmonisation processes for co-ordinating all players - ESA, the EU and national agencies and research organisations as well as industry.
These activities are organised in the framework of the European Space Technology Master Plan (ESTMP). They identify next-generation space technology requirements, the corresponding gaps and unwanted overlaps in current assets, establish priorities for the actions that are needed and lines up the players committed to developing these technologies.
ESTMP will also allow new EU Member States to plan and develop their competencies and to participate, with institutional support, in joint research activities.
European resources can be used more efficiently and synergies maximised across the whole value chain if this process is opened up to international co-operation, expanded to both civil and defence related R&D, and if links to applications and services are included. Promotion of technology transfer will further leverage the investment made in space R&D.
But this alone will not be a sufficient response to the increasing budgets other space nations are allocating nor to rising competitive pressures.
- New EU Member States should be associated with the overall harmonisation actions.
To push forward the boundaries of human capabilities, explore beyond the limits of today's knowledge and inspire the coming generation.
To prepare Europe for a possible contribution to future exploration of the solar system to be performed in an international context.
Exploration of the solar system: What scenario?
Solar system exploration and human spaceflight catch the public eye. Astronauts are subjects of admiration and fascination because they are courageous symbols of mankind's deeply rooted desire to extend the boundaries of knowledge and experience.
Human spaceflight and space exploration emerged as a special issue from the consultation process on the Green Paper. The European Parliament's report on the Green Paper was also broadly positive. There are balanced arguments as to whether Europe should contribute to exploration of the solar system with its own human spaceflight capability or whether it should concentrate more on automated exploration.
The Commission and the Member States need to take the initiative in organising a consultation at high level with key actors of different disciplines to develop a scenario able to stimulate the public opinion's interest. The Aurora long-term vision as currently under definition by ESA for solar-system exploration will have to be taken into account and properly supported.
Europe has been sending astronauts into space for some years, but not on its own launchers. There is a body of work and achievement upon which it could build if it opted for a spaceflight programme. Europe has its own Astronaut Corps, created by ESA, and several of its members have travelled to the International Space Station (ISS), which is an orbital outpost.
The ISS is the first major cooperative undertaking (involving the US, Russia, Europe, Canada and Japan) since the cold war, based on operating joint scientific programmes and sharing technologies. Even though the project is behind schedule and has not yet fully lived up to expectations, Europe is strategically committed to the ISS following a decision of the ESA Ministerial Council in 1995.
Contributing to the ISS permits the development of system engineering and mission control capabilities in space while also offering experience of long stays in space and the opportunities to counter their debilitating effect on humans. As such, the ISS is also a precursor to the future exploration of our solar system, possibly to the Moon and Mars. This is an asset for Europe, in particular the European Columbus laboratory module, the utilisation of which should be opened to all European countries.
However, Europe is critically dependent on the US and Russia for the full exploitation and utilisation of the ISS, and particularly for transporting astronauts to and from the Station. In the field of human spaceflight, the future European Space Centre-based Soyuz launcher could give a potential additional capacity to Europeans. Over the next 10 years a series of European-designed and built automated transfer vehicles will be launched on Ariane 5 to carry materials to the ISS.
- Consistent with the outcome of the previous recommendation, the European Union with ESA to assess and ensure the availability of core capabilities and know-how in Europe which are indispensable for the preparation of human spaceflights activities and exploration. Continue the exploitation of the ISS as a common infrastructure, were possible, also in the context of the 6th Framework Programme.
To rejuvenate an ageing scientific population by increasing the flow of young scientists and engineers into the space sector.
To use space policy to contribute effectively to current efforts to increase recruitment into technical and scientific training (part of the European Research Area strategy).
The right sort of human capital is critical for achieving Europe's ambitions in space. But its supply is far from assured given the declining interest in scientific studies across the continent which, in the space sector, is resulting in an ageing community of scientists and a lack of young talents. The highly motivated generation that started its career in space during the 60s is now retiring, while the number of under-30s in Europe's space science and technical community is sharply decreasing. There is now a serious risk of losing precious competencies and know-how. The US is encountering similar problems, and this has led NASA to spend about $160M a year on educational programs.
Shortages of researchers in science and technology pose a serious challenge for the Union. In recent Communications, the Commission has underlined the need to increase recruitment into technical and scientific training as an important element of its strategy for building a European Research Area (ERA).
By its very nature, space offers an international working environment and needs a mobile workforce to ensure its supply of scientists and engineers. In its ERA implementation strategy, the EU has proposed a wide range of measures aimed at facilitating the mobility of researchers and at raising the extra attractiveness of scientific careers that need to be applied across a broad range of policies at both European and national levels.
- targeted media campaigns to improve people's understanding of space.
To enhance European leadership in space sciences and its ability to develop capabilities in support of EU policies.
To strengthen Europe's knowledge-based society through cutting edge research into the Universe, Earth systems and life and physical sciences.
Space research is science conducted in, on and from space. It not only provides far-reaching insights into the structure of the universe, improved understanding of Planet Earth, and a new approach to life and physical sciences, it is also a strong driving force for new technology developments with many subsequent applications of benefit to society and the environment.
Space research has demonstrated an ability to attract young people into professions that strengthen Europe's technological capabilities across the board. It leads, by excellence, in the field of international space co-operation and is essential to Europe's identity and leadership as a knowledge-based society.
ESA is the lead agency in Europe for space research programme definition, technology and system development, and in-orbit operations. Together with national agencies, scientific institutes and industry, it has striven for efficiency and competitiveness within the limits of a global budget for space research sciences that is only one sixth of the US equivalent.
Major successful space research missions under European leadership have placed the European science community and industry at the forefront and created a strong position from which to negotiate co-operative projects with international partners. But confronted with the challenge of responding to an increasing demand for applications, more efforts are needed to enhance scientific knowledge and to develop innovative technologies.
Europe's stature on the world scene in sciences of the Universe has been established through strict reliance on scientific merit for project selection, ESA's careful planning and associated GNP-related funding by its Member States. However, this funding has been continuously eroded over the last decade. In addition, Member States have found it increasingly difficult to fund on a national basis more and more complex scientific payloads.
This budgetary pressure has now reached the point where it is beginning to disrupt the careful balance between disciplines and missions of different size. A progressive increase in funding would yield a high return on investment by optimising the industrial development costs of future large-scale satellites, while providing the required short-term flexibility for new small missions and satellites. A corrective action in this direction is urgently needed.
Observation of the Earth from space is a striking example of the continuous link and strong synergy existing between upstream research missions and operational applications. As clearly illustrated by EUMETSAT in the case of space meteorology, new instrument concepts must be experimented in orbit before their integration into a future operational application. At the same time, the Earth sciences research community consistently relies on operational systems for continuous and homogeneous access to data.
ESA's Envelope Programme, dedicated to the basic understanding of Earth's processes through a family of explorers, constitutes an appropriate effort to structure the research in this field. It remains, however, poorly funded and can only support the early scientific use of Earth observation data. This endangers the existence of future European operational capabilities without which the basis for environmental policy decisions would be weak unless dependence on US capabilities was increased.
Europe needs a sustained European programme to study the Earth from space, with an adequate level of funding and long-term stability, enabling the proper exploitation of space data by the science community.
Predominantly carried out on the International Space Station (ISS), the European space research programme in life and physical sciences addresses fundamental questions and has the potential to produce useful applications on Earth, while laying the foundation for future human planetary exploration.
However it faces two limitations: adequate support is lacking for the ground-based activities which complement the space experiments, from preparatory research to downstream applications; and the implementation of the programme on the ISS is severely limited by a small share of ISS resources (5%) and limitations on ISS operations under the current NASA plans.
Space science data represent a significant long-term investment. They have to remain affordable and accessible over a period extending well beyond the nominal lifetime of the missions. There is a need to develop and sustain new infrastructures - thematic centres and networks - for long term archiving and distribution of European space data. This infrastructure development should allow for integration of space and non-space data archives, a key issue for multidisciplinary work.
- supporting ISS utilisation and fostering technology transfer to non-space applications.
To establish the basis for a globally competitive and entrepreneurial space industry in Europe.
A credible space policy that places European industry on the same footing as its competitors and attracts new investment to the sector, so as to encourage consolidation in a way which serves the demand in line with institutional and market needs.
Space activities contribute to employment and competitiveness in many sectors of the economy. However these benefits depend on the existence of an innovative and competitive European space industry.
As part of its call for an integrated strategy for European competitiveness the European Council  has asked for policies to be pursued as to contribute consistently to the goal of enhancing the competitiveness of enterprises and industry.
While industrial policy is horizontal in nature and aimed at securing framework conditions favourable to industrial competitiveness, it needs to take account of the specific needs and characteristics of individual sectors .
In line with this approach to the aerospace sector, a European policy which deals with all aspects of the space business , and fully exploits the specific capabilities of all the institutions involved is essential for the sector's future competitiveness.
Through past institutional programmes and the efforts of companies in the sector, Europe developed leading space capabilities and a world-class industrial capacity in launchers and satellites. However, this position is now threatened by the sharp and sustained downturn in the commercial market whose past growth had allowed European industry to achieve the critical mass needed to maintain and expand capacities and to compete internationally with foreign companies which benefited from much larger, protected, institutional markets.
To overcome these difficulties and maintain a competitive European space industry and the freedom of action which it provides, Europe needs a consolidated industrial and institutional approach to space-related activities in line with the Commission's recent Communication  on a coherent framework for aerospace. This includes the efficient allocation of resources and the elimination of outdated national restrictions on space-based services and a suitably adapted spectrum policy.
In setting out a comprehensive European space policy that takes account of the strategic character of the sector and provides a common framework under which the European industry and the different national and intergovernmental agencies involved can optimise their activities, this White Paper identifies many of the steps which are required to create the most favourable environment possible for industry to preserve and further develop its capabilities.
These should be complemented by a coherent approach to policy internally and externally in order to create a predictable and rational environment for innovation and industrial competitiveness.
The slowdown in the commercial market is forcing the space industry to restructure its operations. Since the European space industry is more dependent than others on the commercial market, it is essential that there are no unnecessary hindrances within Europe to the rationalisation and reshaping needed to make the industrial structure more appropriate to market requirements. Thus, in applying competition policy the particular features of the space industry, such as its dual-use nature, have to be taken into account in individual cases.
If the industry is to be able to attract the necessary investment for the future, it will also need a stable flow of activity generated by a strong institutional market. That implies overcoming fragmentation within Europe on defence-related programmes and better co-ordination of civil and defence activities.
However, it is clear that especially in the current economic climate, even the most optimistic view of the possible evolution of public space budgets means that European companies will not benefit from the same scale of institutional market support as their US counterparts.
To develop a stronger institutional market in Europe is likely to mean further recourse to public/private partnerships. In this context, the implementation of GALILEO plays a key role as the first major public/private partnership undertaken at EU level. It will be important to draw the lessons from GALILEO, to help determine the best approach to public/private finance for future space projects.
Demand swings in the worldwide space market create particular problems for smaller companies. Small and medium-sized companies bring creativity and innovation to the space industry. Accordingly, the EU and ESA should continue to develop their programmes for technology incubators and industry days to promote the role of SMEs in the space industry. These companies, mostly active in "niche markets", should be taken into account by the primes in their overall strategy. This would avoid unnecessary duplication of R&D efforts and make it possible to spread the benefits and return on investment all over Europe. "Space incubators" is a mechanism which can be used to foster innovation and SME participation, providing the necessary assistance to make technology based ventures succeed commercially.
Undoubtedly the industry would benefit from more flexibility in Europe's approach to space procurement. The geographical return principle (juste retour) - irrelevant in the EU context which aims at optimising collective interests - generally motivates national investments. It guides a great deal of ESA procurement but could benefit from being used both with more flexibility and a broader definition of return, and more creatively so as not to discourage companies from making more cross-border investment, particularly in the new Member States avoiding, however, unwarranted duplication of efforts. In addition, part of the procurement effort will be aimed at ensuring that strategic technology remains at Europe's disposal.
Since many countries in the world view space technology and a space industry as strategic assets, they often have an interest in developing space capabilities and in entering the world space market. This consequently leads to public support from civil and defence budgets for projects which also serve the commercial market.
The EU should work with other space-faring countries to eliminate these distortions of the commercial space market in order to create a level playing field. This includes encouraging the further efforts which are needed to address the inefficiencies and adverse effects arising from the current US export controls which constrain the expansion of the world commercial space market.
At the same time it must be recognised that competition has become increasingly international and Europe can benefit from joint ventures and other forms of co-operation which take advantage of the different industrial strengths such as technology leadership, human spaceflight technology or lower manufacturing costs available in various countries.
The EU should foster such international industrial co-operation which can be mutually beneficial if it reinforces the competitive advantages of Europe's space industry, promotes the mastery of essential technologies or encourages the development of attractive programmes.
- Commission to draw on the lessons from GALILEO to shape useful guidelines for future public/private financing initiatives with commercial possibilities.
A number of factors are arguing for new ways of defining and implementing a space policy in Europe, including the EU's imminent enlargement and its prospective adoption of a Constitutional Treaty, pressure from the space industry (including manufacturers, operators and service providers) for restructuring and a general reassessment of their policies by other space powers, most significantly the US.
To identify and encourage the most effective sharing of tasks and responsibilities between the EU, ESA, Member States, national agencies and industry for determining and continuously delivering the benefits of space to the Union and its citizens.
To give the institutions of the Union, working in collaboration with ESA, other European organisations and the Member States, a lead in fostering the services and applications to support EU policies and priorities.
Objectives must be ambitious and organisational arrangements must be consistent with these objectives.
The European Space Policy outlined in the preceding pages carries the promise of substantial economic, social and environmental benefits for the Union and its citizens. The policy will also bring new qualities to the Union's external actions, especially in defence, security, environment and development. However, successful delivery of these benefits is not guaranteed unless the roles and responsibilities of the relevant actors are adapted.
In turn, successful implementation requires a system of governance in which the roles of the players are clearly understood, the tools for careful coordination properly provided and processes of accountability put in place. Duplication of work and structures must obviously be avoided. This system should command the consent and support of all stakeholders, respect their mission objectives and complementarity and conform to the principle of subsidiarity.
As a key component of the European space policy, ESA must eventually acquire legitimacy in the EU framework. Movement in this direction should be conducted in a pragmatic and evolutionary way and be subject to regular review so as to ensure that stakeholders can adapt their structures and procedures progressively.
(1) Phase one (2004-2007) will in particular consist of implementing the topics covered by the recently agreed Framework Agreement between European Community and ESA. This will enable the two organisations to set common objectives and to mount joint initiatives, whilst retaining their respective rules. ESA should be the implementing agency of the Union for space matters.
(2) Phase two (2007-onwards) will begin with the coming into force of the proposed European Constitutional Treaty, establishing space as a shared competence between the Union and the Member States, if the draft Treaty of the Convention on the future of Europe is followed. ESA should then be positioned within the EU framework and its Convention modified accordingly.
A first review of these new provisions and their effects should be planned a few years after the entry into force of the new Treaty.
The European Space Policy will be implemented within a multi-annual European Space Programme. The Programme, acting like a strategic agenda for Europe, will be the platform for determining priorities, setting objectives, allocating roles and responsibilities and framing annual budgets. Its scope must embrace R&D, infrastructure development, services and technology. This programme should be articulated as a response in the form of space infrastructures to demands and needs expressed by the citizens through the policies of the European Union. As a "living document", it should be reviewed and updated every five years.
Such a Programme will provide the stability of outlook that Europe's various actors need. It will have to be prepared by the EU, benefiting from its collaboration with ESA, through an interactive process driven by demand, involving the consultation of space stakeholders.
Key public actors include national space agencies, national research centres, European organisations such as EUMETSAT, ESO, etc. The private sector will be a key interlocutor since so much of the Programme's implementation will depend on its efforts. A first outline of the European Space Programme is attached as annex 1.
Design and implementation of the Programme should lead to greater coherence and stability, and a substantial improvement in the match between ambitions and public resources, thus ensuring better value for tax payers' money and providing a strong rationale for new investments. It should also provide the framework to encourage common initiatives involving a collective effort by all Member States, or of a smaller group. Its impact should be regularly assessed.
With the one articulating demand for space-based solutions and the other acting as supplier, the European Union should have the lead responsibility for federating society's needs for space-based services relevant to EU policies and for co-ordinating their delivery, while the European Space Agency should take the lead in elaborating, proposing and developing the required solutions.
The European Union should also ensure that ethical aspects are taken into account when implementing the European space policy and elaborating the European space programme. It should also elaborate proposals and represent Europe's interests when addressing space laws issues in international fora.
Member States and their relevant space/research agencies should be associated with the revision and ultimate adoption of the European Space Programme. National space agencies and research organisations will be largely responsible for implementing the Programme's lines of action relevant to them.
Fully in line with the European Research Area objectives, the establishment of a network of specialised technical centres working together would represent a cost efficient way to associate the various national actors with the implementation of the European Space Programme. Such a network should not only encourage further integration and improved co-operation but also increased specialisation and a reduction of overall costs and overlapping activities. This will call for a restructuring of the European public technical infrastructure based on pilot networks currently involving ESA and national capabilities in the implementation of on-going programmes.
- The Commission to review the institutional setting for space policy after some experience with the present EU space policy and in light of the new Constitutional Treaty.
Resources available today will not be sufficient to meet the objectives assigned to the overall European space policy as defined in this White Paper.
Maintaining the budgets mobilised by the different stakeholders involved in space activities at national and inter-governmental levels is a pre-requisite in order to preserve the capacities built up over the last 40 years. It is only in very limited cases that there could be an added value in transferring some of these tasks to the EU level.
Bringing the benefits of space closer to the citizens and the Union will require further investments in R&D, technology, infrastructures and corresponding services. These would contribute both to strengthening Europe's capabilities as a space player and to the various initiatives to promote faster growth in the European economy.
Public investments in space have been proven capable to induce a leverage effect mobilising resources by the other EU actors. This is why the Union should, in the context of its future Financial Perspectives, consider devoting additional resources to supplement existing ones.
These extra-resources would have to be allocated above all in response to users' demands, as defined by the needs of the different EU policies. The logical consequence is that an "EU space budget line" should be a virtual one, with the actual resources being made available to the relevant EU policies and only a fraction remaining at horizontal level for activities of general interest.
To complement ESA's efforts in particular, the Union should act both upstream - to support basic research and research infrastructures- and downstream, to facilitate the inauguration and deployment of space infrastructures and the sustainability of the corresponding operational services, particularly those that involve international co-operation.
Some of these initiatives may give rise to public private partnerships as it is frequently the case when infrastructures for general public interest have to be deployed, which in turn give rise to a number of services some of which are of a commercial nature. GALILEO is such an example.
The intensity and timing of public intervention must of course depend on the public interest and risks involved and be based on sound cost/benefit arguments. A number of scenarios for raising Union spending on space can be envisaged. But the actual volume of resources eventually committed will depend both on the ambitions of Member States and the capacity of the Union's "space system" to react and absorb them.
The risks may be high, but so also may be the public and commercial benefits. This is a good reason why pooling resources and sharing investments at the European level is the sensible way forward, not least because of the guaranteed access for commercial providers to a huge market of more than 450 million people.
A first analysis of the resources required to implement the White Paper objectives as well as possible scenarios are provided in annex 2.
Space is a must for an enlarging Union and the EU is a key to the further development of space in Europe.
With the publication of this White Paper, Europe has taken its first step towards adding important new dimensions to its space policy, strengthening EU policies, suggesting new ambitious and inspirational goals and contributing to its initiatives for growth.
The proposed European Space Programme will be one of its cornerstones for implementing many new initiatives, in particular those undertaken in co-operation between the EU and ESA, such as "Global monitoring for environment and security" (GMES) to be presented in more detail in a subsequent Communication.
Achievement of the longer term objectives set out in these pages is very much predicated upon two pre-requisites. Europe should aim at increasing progressively its space budget; and the ongoing Inter-governmental Conference should confirm the results of the European Convention and grant the Union shared competence on space matters in the future Constitutional Treaty.
Growth in total space spending should be tied to a long-term vision. The returns will be more effective policies and opportunities for a revivified space industry to expand Europe's share of fast-growing markets in space-based services.
The EU needs more responsibility for policy-making and executing if it is to gain the benefits space technology and applications can bring in support of its own policies. Space is transnational by its very nature because services and applications beamed to earth from space can cross any and all borders. Placing some authority for space activities at the European level closes the governance circle. The issues - as a whole - raised in this White Paper should now be discussed and decided upon in the relevant European institutions.
The potential gains are real ones for the citizen, for Europe and the world. Space is not only an adventure, it is also an opportunity. Europe cannot afford to miss it.
The "draft Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe" prepared by the Convention for the future of Europe refers in its article III-155 to a European Space Policy and the corresponding measures to be established, namely a European space programme.
The aim of this annex is to outline some essential features of such a programme and to indicate how it should be prepared.
- constitute a co-ordination and harmonisation platform for the actions derived from the European Space Policy.
- indicate the timetable attached to the different tasks.
The ESP should be elaborated through a process of dialogue and consensus-building including all stakeholders (EU, ESA, Member States with their national space agencies, European organisations such as EUMETSAT, research organisations and European industry) following the "Technology platform" concept promoted by the EU.
- the ESA Executive plan "Agenda 2007".
The template below lists some key rubrics that would have to be considered when preparing the ESP. It (tentatively) allocates roles for carrying out the actions.
- EU policies which directly benefit from the corresponding activities.
A number of key stakeholders have been identified who would be in charge of the implementation of the respective lines of action (this list is only preliminary; several other actors should also be considered).
F.A. // The European Commission and ESA implement this line of action in compliance with the Framework Agreement (other actors can also be involved, such as Eumetsat).
The aim of this annex is to provide an overview of the financial resources which would be required for implementing the European Space Policy presented in this White Paper, preserving the European Space "acquis" while developing future opportunities. After a brief overview of the resources currently earmarked, several key scenarios are presented.
Numerous voices (e.g. through the Green Paper consultation, the recent reports from the European Parliament and European Economic and Social Committee) have stressed that the investment on space has to be seen as a source of innovation.
As such, it contributes to the EU and national initiatives for growth , because the deployment of advanced infrastructures will enable the emergence of new added-value services. Investment in the space sector is also part of the objective of having the EU invest 3% GDP on R&D by 2010  (although several dimensions of the space policy address non-R&D aspects) .
 Space applications like GALILEO, GMES are foreseen to be part of the Commission's "Quick-start" initiative to be presented at the next European Council. A "Digital Divide" initiative is also proposed.
A more vigorous investment on space-related activities in Europe in the period to come should be reflected by a proper EU budget appropriation. This should help to exert leverage on other public activities in the space field as well as on the private sector, and to encourage them to intensify their investment.
Table 1 summarises the evolution of EC expenditure on space over the period 1995 to 2006, which shows a significant increase over the years (although the absolute amounts remain modest when compared to the national and inter-governmental efforts).
Most of the investment is to be qualified as R&D resources, either directly drawn from the R&D 5th and 6th Framework programmes or from the Trans-European networks - Transport budget line. GALILEO is the main application developed during that period.
- 6th Framework programme (2002-2006): priority "information society": p.m.; priority "aeronautics & space": 235 MEUR ; priority "sustainable environment, transport and energy": 50 MEUR; Joint Research Centre space-related activities : 50 MEUR; priority "nanotechnologies and materials" or "research infrastructures" for an estimated total of 40 MEUR. The total expenditure is about 475 MEUR.
Other investments may be used, on an individual project basis: Structural funds, TACIS, FED, MEDA, although there is no pre-determined allocation for space-related activities.
Following the Green Paper consultation and in line with the European Parliament recommendation, the White Paper highlights the need to develop an ambitious European Space Policy.
In order to reach its objectives, the Union must support in priority space applications. Additional resources will also have to be devoted to the "enablers" of such applications (e.g. technology and access to space in particular) with special attention given to international co-operations.
For the Policy to be successfully deployed, a programme of actions - which is described in the White Paper - would have to be implemented to complement the ongoing and planned activities in Europe.
- second phase (2007-2013), to be part of the future Financial Perspectives, which are currently the subject of initial reflections within the Commission. These could lead to the identification of a "space virtual budget line", supporting the shared competence between EU and Member States on space granted by the future Constitutional Treaty.
- the analysis of the EC expenditures on space over the last 10 years.
An additional issue concerns whether the EU decides to intervene in security/defence on a larger scale. Variants of the key scenarios are presented in graphic 1 to single out this option.
Last, any progression of the resources must be gradual, to ensure absorption capabilities are developed in a sustainable way.
On that basis, three main scenarios are described, together with an estimate of the resources which they would require.
Scenario A is the "Green paper" scenario. It reflects the needs identified during the Green paper consultation. This package represents an annual expenditure growth rate of 4.6% with respect to the overall public level of funding in 2003 (5380 MEUR). This is an aggressive/ambitious scenario, which would require a high level a global economic growth in order to be sustainable for the public contributors. Scenario A is compliant with all objectives identified, including space exploration and significant security/defence related space developments. This scenario is consistent with the ESA executive objectives described in its "Agenda 2007".
Scenario B is the "political act" scenario. It corresponds to an annual expenditure growth rate of 3.4% and marks a new departure for space in Europe, with the entry into force of the new Constitutional treaty of the EU. This is an ambitious scenario, with a growth rate higher than the global growth rate of the EU economy. Scenario B is compliant with the overall EU objectives.
Scenario C is the "linear natural" scenario, built as a linear expansion of the current level of EC expenditures. It corresponds to an annual public expenditure growth rate of 2.3 %. Scenario C does not fully guarantee independence vis-à-vis technology and access to space.
A first estimate of the European public expenditure needed to implement the White paper action plan is presented in Table 3; the evolutions of the different options are shown in Graphic 1 (without inflation). Like for all activities with a long lead time, it is important to embed these expenses in a multi-annual plan and budget.
The corresponding estimated increase in the multi-annual European expenditure is presented in Table 4.
The darker areas of each pie chart show the "applications" while the lighter ones represent the "enablers".
There should be no simple transfer of funds: an extra effort from the EU in the field of space, driven by the need to support applications of EU interest at the service of EU policies, should not be considered as a pretext for Member states to "pass the burden" to the EU budget and to reduce accordingly their own expenditures. On the contrary, this should act as an incentive to match EU's new investments.
Actions undertaken under the EU framework are optimised for the collective benefit of the EU as a whole. The optimisation of national interest is to be sought under national or inter-governmental investments and mechanisms.
Apply more innovative types of support: space has, up to now, been mostly confined to R&D budgets, with their inherent limitations. Complementary sources of funding and mechanisms should be more systematically considered in the future such as: Public Private Partnership (already in use for GALILEO, it could be applied for the "Digital divide" initiative); a larger role for the European Investment Bank (cf. "Innovation 2010 initiative"); innovative investments under Structural funds.
Last, the level of resources devoted to space-related activities cannot grow indefinitely. Depending on the type of scenario retained for implementing the set of actions recommended is this White paper, one would expect the level of public investment to enter a stabilised "cruising regime" between 2013 and 2020.
The leverage effect of the public funding in the space sector represents an added value this sector can generate vis-à-vis other EU policies.
The Green Paper on European Space Policy was adopted by the European Commission on 21 January 2003. Its aim was to initiate a debate on the medium- and long-term future use of space for the benefit of Europe.
The Green Paper process has encompassed a series of events, workshops and meetings spanning the continent and drawing contributions from hundreds of representatives of the space community.
The debate was open from the industrial and institutional players down to the ordinary citizen.
The Joint Task Force composed of representatives of the Commission services and ESA organised joint workshops in several European capitals, focussing on specific themes and communities. The consultation was complemented with an open website forum.
The list of the contributors having responded or participated to the Green Paper consultation process is enclosed.
Lord Sainsbury, Minister for Science and Technology, U.K.
Aurora: the European space agency programme for the exploration of the solar system. The objective is to formulate and to implement a European long-term plan for the robotic and human exploration of solar system bodies holding promise for traces of life. The Aurora programme aims at bringing about a coherent European framework for exploration and to progressively develop a unified European approach; it is open to international co-operation.
CFSP: Common Foreign and Security Policy.
Concessionaire: Operator identified as in charge of the maintenance, operation and viability of public owned infrastructure.
CSG (Centre Spatial Guyanais): Europe's spaceport operated by Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales under an agreement with the European Space Agency. Strategic facility aimed at providing Europe with access to space with the optimal geographical conditions for launching.
Digital Divide: Inequality in the capability of access by broadband technology connectivity (i.e. Internet services) to knowledge society. It is measurable in terms of widespread availability of the connection or in cost of the connection in comparison to a benchmark.
EGAS (European Guaranteed Access to Space programme): Approved by ESA Ministerial Meeting and planned for 2005-2009, the programme provides short and medium term support for the European launcher service both in French Guyane and in continental Europe, and stresses the conditions required for its long-term stability.
European Space Agency (ESA): Intergovernmental Organisation constituted in 1975. Currently composed of the following Member States: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
ESDP: European Security and Defence Policy.
European Space Policy: In order to create a more secure framework for the benefit of space in Europe, the EU seeks to build a European Space Policy which is demand driven and supports other EU policies.
European Space Programme (ESP): A multi-annual programme to develop the European Space Policy.
ESTMP (European Space Technology Master Plan): This plan consolidates the overall process for space R&D through a joint effort involving ESA, the European Commission and industry, and highlights a number of separate harmonised technology areas. The new ESTMP refers to all the institutional actors, describing technology activities in Europe, strategies and funding approaches, readiness level and relationship with European partners, including a database of technology activities.
EU (European Union): Formed by the following twenty five Member States (as of 1st May 2004): Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
European Union Satellite Centre (EUSC): Located in Torrejón de Ardoz in Spain, it is the direct successor of the Western European Union Satellite Centre.
Framework Agreement: A formal agreement between the European Community and the European Space Agency, defining the principles and mechanisms of a reinforced co-operation on space-related matters.
GALILEO: Europe's global radionavigation satellite system. Joint EU/ESA project composed of a constellation of 30 satellites in medium Earth orbit. GALILEO will provide users with highly accurate timing and positioning services.
GMES (Global Monitoring for the Environment and Security): GMES is a joint EU/ESA initiative combining space and in-situ observing systems to support EU's goals regarding sustainable development and global governance.Joint undertaking: Legal entity created in accordance with Article 171 of the European Community Treaty. A joint undertaking is mandated for the efficient execution of research, technological development and demonstration programmes.
Networks of centres: a cost efficient way to associate the various space national actors for the implementation of European activities under the same umbrella. The network encourages integration and improve co-operation; it also increases specialisation and reduction of overall costs.
PPP (Public Private Partnership): Structure composed of representatives from the public and private sector for the operation of infrastructure and the provision of services. This structure determines that the responsibilities, roles and risks are shared between the public and private sectors.
Shared competence: Field of competence that is shared between the EU and its Member States.
Supervisory Authority: Structure created by an EU Council Regulation aiming at managing the public interest in a PPP type of project.
White Paper: White papers are documents containing proposals for EU action in a specific area. While Green papers set out a range of ideas presented for public debate, White papers contain an official set of proposals in specific policy areas and are used as vehicles for their development.
In consequence and as a step towards the White Paper, the European Commission, in cooperation with ESA, elaborated a Green Paper on Space Policy, which was adopted by the Commission  on 21 January 2003. The objective of this document was to stimulate a European-wide debate on the issue and launch a process meant to gather inputs from all relevant actors in Europe.
The consultation process following the publication of the Green Paper has been organised by the EC/ESA Joint Task Force. The present document is an EC/ESA joint report on the consultations, to be presented to the Joint Task Force. This report will lead the way to the White Paper (including an action plan), to be elaborated by the European Commission in cooperation with ESA. Encouragement to this has been given by the Council of the EU on May 13 and the ESA Ministerial Council on May 27.
The purpose of the present document is to give a first summary report on the Green Paper consultation process, focussing on the workshops of the targeted consultation which have taken place from March through June 2003.
Three methods have been used to collect the inputs during the consultation process: an open web-consultation of European citizens, the targeted workshop consultation, and the way of written input received from various actors of the space domain.
The open web-consultation has received around 200 contributions and offered an excellent opportunity for a lively debate.
The opening conference in Brussels on 6 March was followed by a series of five consultation workshops, taking the debate to member states' capitals (Madrid, Berlin, Rome, London and Prague). The Greek Presidency of the European Union also convened a special workshop in Athens for 8/9th May, which concentrated on a discussion of security matters.
In addition, Austria, Italy and Portugal each held national meetings, supported by the European Commission and the European Space Agency, for discussion of the Green Paper, and a review of the national implications. The United Kingdom Industrial Space Committee made a presentation of its views on the Green Paper to the Commission, while the Belgian authorities have both organised a national review of space-based defence systems, and passed a Resolution on the Green Paper following discussion in the national Senate.
The targeted consultation finished with a closing conference in Paris on 23-24 June, at which reports from the whole series of workshops were presented and considered.
Other European institutions (i.e. the European Economic and Social Committee and the European Parliament) have been consulted during the Green paper consultation process and their position has been presented to the Commission services.
More than 70 written contributions have been received, including from industry, ESA/EU member states, associations and individual persons.
The Brussels conference served as the 'kick-off' meeting to initiate the consultation process and permitted a first exchange of views, which underlined the will for a stronger political vision for an increasingly ambitious space policy in Europe.
- For the institutional framework in which space activities could be placed, vice-president DEHAENE of the Presidium of the European Convention presented the possibility of space as a competence in the future Treaty for the European Union.
- Notwithstanding the interest of satellite applications programmes, the basic role of space science was strongly underlined, as a driver for technological innovation and the initiation of applications. Specific guidelines are needed for co-operation, for co-ordination of and within national programmes, and for strengthening the scientific community.
- The concept of a 'flagship' programme to stimulate interest in space technology was discussed as a possibility to generate public interest and to stimulate interest of younger generations.
- Discussions of applications and technology programmes gave rise to a broad exchange of views on the concept of 'multiple-use' technologies. This concept deserves in-depth discussion, particularly in examining the use of satellite systems to increase the overall security of Europe and its citizens.
- While the current arrangements for ESA and the use of existing structures received praise from industry, industry also welcomes and calls for a greater involvement of the European Union in space activities, notably as a provider of regulatory frameworks and additional funding.
- There is a need for a substantially widened institutional market, which fully recognises the potential of space systems to address policy objectives (monitoring of climate change, environmental damage, monitoring for treaty implementation, crisis monitoring, security, navigation, science). Should European and national institutions become convinced that space systems help in addressing policy objectives and could harmonise their programmes and requirements, the market potential would be substantially increased.
- ESA should continue to be the focus for funding the key activities of a space policy. The ESA current financial scheme (variable geometry, geographical return), with additional resources from the EU to serve European policies, seems to be adequate.
- The workshop noted that international co-operation remains attractive in numerous areas and is not per se incompatible with the objective of European autonomy. A particular example of such co-operation, the International Space Station (ISS), was underlined as first and foremost a political project, from which Europe cannot be absent, which constitutes a long-term investment for the benefit of future generations.
- A similar emphasis to that of the Brussels conference was made on the interest to the public - and by extension to young engineers - of new European ambitious programmes (cf. 'flagship programmes') . A further common theme from the two workshops is the major role to be played by the EC in ensuring harmonised and well-founded regulations across Europe.
 The high level of public interest in the press and television coverage of the launch of ESA's Mars Express satellite and its Beagle 2 lander in early June showed the continuing stimulus of space activities when associated with tangible goals such as the exploration of Mars.
- Regarding multiple use systems, the need for greater recognition of space tools in the framework of an EU security and defence policy was underlined. This was accompanied by support for the introduction of 'space' into the present draft Treaty discussed by the European Convention.
- Finally, at a time when part of the European space industry is looking to restructure, participants at the workshop stressed that without a sufficiently ambitious political and financial commitment, this restructuring will not lead to a stronger industrial base. New vocations and competences cannot be expected without the underpinning of a long-term programme supported by a solid political and financial commitment.
This meeting concentrated on the European space science community , and in particular underlined the underestimated contribution that it makes to the overall activity, not least in making available key technology developments to the applications programmes.
- Space sciences must be an integral part of any European space policy.
- A plea was made to stop the trend to significantly reduce the funds for European space science research. Recognition was given to the ESA Science Programme as of top world quality, using only modest resources. For Earth Observation, a proposal was made to develop a mandatory programme (Earth Explorer missions) with a level of resources based on GNP contribution scales. The scientific role of the overall 'Global Monitoring for Environmental Security' (GMES) programme was stressed, as was the synergy between the research and development of scientific and security requirements.
- A problem common to scientific and applications programmes surfaced at this workshop: the exploitation of data. The need for a data policy harmonised at European level was underlined, with a role identified for the European Commission in support of a powerful data processing system to support for example climate forecasts and global change. This was associated with a call for sustainable funding and a long-term continuity of observing systems, information availability, fast data delivery and cost-effectiveness. In general, space sciences were underlined as a major element for building a knowledge based society.
- Discussion of the International Space Station underlined the scientific excellence of the ISS for microgravity activities, with access of European researchers to work in the fields of life and physical sciences. ISS should be exploited also for Earth observation and human spaceflight activities. Not least was the role of ESA's European Astronaut Corps as ambassadors of a European identity.
- The political and strategic need for Europe to maintain and develop its own means of access to space was stressed, with the provision that additional costs linked to this need should not reduce the existing science budget. The need for engineering excellence (cf 'reliability') of the launch infrastructure for a successful space science programme was underlined.
- The Aurora programme, which prepares for ensuring the future for next generation (science, exploration and human presence), was seen as an initiative to be welcomed, one concept on which ESA and the European Union can build a European role in space in the medium to long term.
- No merging of diverse institutions into centralized bodies (preserve a healthy « biodiversity » among the existing institutions). Maintain ESA as an independent institution for science working in close relationship with the European Union. A more coherent co-ordination throughout disciplines should be developed (EIROForum is an example to be exploited), as part of the ERA strategy.
Finally, the role of the European Union to contribute to horizontal and infrastructure activities was stressed with a number of fields identified for consideration: an independent data systems network, ISS utilisation, critical technologies for payloads, development of future nuclear and electric propulsion systems (critical for interplanetary missions), data analysis and archiving.
- Access to space: The need for independent access to space and the role of ESA's new EGAS (European Guaranteed Access to Space) programme were again confirmed.
- Science: The role of science (including research on the ISS) as the enabler (understanding and invention) for future applications and commercial activities was developed. A doubling of the science budget, without prejudice to other space programme funding, was requested.
- Industry: The dramatic situation in which the European space industry currently finds itself was again stressed. In order to remedy the situation and to ensure at least "a level playing field" with respect to the US, a doubling of the total yearly available institutional market was requested as a medium to long-term goal.
- Knowledge Society, Sustainable Development, Security: It was emphasised that the applications area is at the core of the present discussion, whilst the role of space as an important tool for the implementation of key Union policies and objectives was confirmed.
- Space policy should be guided and discussed at the highest political level.
- The European Parliament has taken a major interest in the European Space policy, both prior to and during the Green paper activity; in particular, it has concerned itself with the impact of space technologies on the European citizen. The contribution of Parliament to the dossier is a welcome and important addition.
- ESA (institutionally outside the EU framework) has proved capable of giving Europe a world-class space "acquis" that must be maintained in the future. Discussions on its future role and its relationship to Union Institutions should ensure that strengths are reinforced and organisational changes made only when called for. ESA should become the space agency of the Union (Europe) - in a first step through a framework agreement, and with a possible further rapprochement to be defined.
- Space Applications are key components of a Space Policy. They are market driven, therefore should ultimately be financed by end users, achieving optimal use and leverage of public funding. Earth Observation applications which are dominated by the public sector as user as well as regulator, are only partially driven by the commercial market.
- Applications bring concrete benefits to professionals and customers in their daily activities: taxpayers and their political representatives can see a concrete return from public funding invested in space activities.
- Fixed or mobile access through satellite to High-Speed Internet and essential Broadband Services on a universal basis must be included in any European Space Policy.
- It is recommended to establish immediately a forum at European level to co-ordinate and federate the players concerned with the definition, development, operation and utilisation of a satellite communications broadband infrastructure.
- Harmonized and streamlined licensing procedures throughout the Union.
- Harmonized Spectrum Allocation enabling free circulation of User Terminals and the exemption from licensing for Satellite Earth Stations and User Terminals.
- Fair access to frequencies for satellite operators and exclusive frequency bands for 'point to point' satellite systems in Europe.
- Acceptance of market access principles for satellite services in the Member States of the enlarged Union and in third countries.
- The establishment of a robust European Earth monitoring capability is of strategic importance for Europe, in particular for the implementation of policies bearing on such issues as management of renewable resources and security.
- There is a clear need for a co-ordinated approach aiming at the creation of an operational structure for data gathering , data handling, information production and dissemination.
- The demand for Earth Observation data is essentially public. There is a need to federate and organise at the European level the public demand for longer term commitments, and identify appropriate funding instruments.
- A significant catalyst for the exploitation of satellite remote sensing will come from applications in the Security/Defence fields. The Global Monitoring for Environmental Security (GMES) programme should act as a catalyst and demonstration of how space can address European strategic aims.
- There is a need to create an organisation, or network of organisations, to deal specifically with space imagery, integration and dissemination of geo-spatial information, taking into account the existing structures. An overall architecture including data collection and information dissemination should be defined.
- Satellite navigation is also a key dual-use technology having numerous applications and generating indirect returns far exceeding investment costs.
- A strong international cooperation is essential as in COSPAS/SARSAT. Users need the European GALILEO system to be interoperable and compatible with other systems. They want GPS and GALILEO (plus Glonass) in order to have at their disposal larger constellations that are inherently more reliable and provide more accurate navigation solutions in difficult environments.
- Safety issues should be managed and financed by each area of applications (air, rail, maritime...), since each application area has its own standards for precision and integrity and possible augmentations.
- Coupling navigation, positioning and timing with mobile/satcoms creates potential for commercial opportunities.
- Europe must combine autonomy in strategic areas with co-operation in others. Where it collaborates, Europe must be a strong partner.
- Satellite technologies correctly and imaginatively exploited in pursuit of identified policy objectives can play a major role in the incorporation of the most far-flung corners of the Community.
- The need for strategic objectives for international cooperation (as well as for all relevant partners, i.e EU, ESA, other organisations in the space field such as Eumetsat, European States, users and industry).
- The new EU Member States have a strong interest in involvement as soon as possible in European space activities. This may go all the way from participation in individual programmes such as GALILEO and GMES, to associate status in ESA.
- Russia and the Ukraine have both indicated a willingness to enter into long-term strategic partnerships with Europe in key areas such as human space-flight, launchers, and applications such as navigation and global monitoring.
- The ,Wider Europe" initiative of the European Union, endorsed 2003 by the European Council in Thessaloniki, offers scope for the use of space technology in supporting Eastern and Southern neighbours of the EU as well as Europe's Overseas Countries and Territories in their development.
- The co-operation between the EU and the Mediterranean countries is based on the Barcelona process, and implemented through the MEDA programmes. These countries may expect to be the prime beneficiaries of an outward looking space programme making use of satellite technology.
The scope of the workshop concentrated on the pan-European context (international partners such as USA and Japan were not specifically targeted to give contributions to this European debate at this stage).
The conference was constituted by six panels and by seven speeches. More than 400 representatives from government, industry, research and civil society were present to the conference.
Mrs. Pascale Sourisse, president of Eurospace, presented the first panel related to the industrial view. Space cannot be considered as a strictly commercial sector. The institutional aspect of space is fundamental. Due to the severe crisis in the European space industry, there is a real danger that very high level of technologies and skills that Europe acquired cannot be maintained. The efforts towards the definition of a reinforced European Space Policy are therefore of critical importance.
Professor Roger Bonnet presented the Panel 2 related to the Berlin workshop on the view of the scientific community. The indisputable success of ESA sciences programmes has been underlined. A strong regret related to the too small emphasis on science in the Green Paper has also been underlined. The scientific community has claimed the right to be recognised. They regret the lack of political vision, of coherent ambition, and the immature coordination between ESA and EU. The starvation of science budgets cannot be the option. An increase of a factor two might be adequate, both at ESA and national levels, for all branches. The Science community insists on ESA's essential role, and ESA must be maintained as an independent institution in close association with the EU. ESA is essential for sciences.
EU should have a political role in defining European policies. EC has to compensate for the present deficit of resources, to use its institutional rules where ESA is not competent, and to participate in ESA delegate bodies much like an associated Member State. EC must organise itself more efficiently between its various directorates in view of GMES, and should support ISS utilisation through FP6.
Former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt presented the Panel 3 related to the Rome workshop on ESA/EU Member States. Key points from Rome were that the messages coming out of the consultation must be radical and seize the momentum of current developments. Without institutional demand there will be no independent access to space. But independence of information should also be created. European Space Policy should be guided from the highest political level (European Council) and ESA should act as the EU's de facto space agency. The European Parliament should have a review function also on space policy. Mr Bildt also recalled the main points related to space in the EU draft Constitutional Treaty. He posed three main items for discussion: how could ESA become the space agency for the EU, how should EU funding be organised to support the policy goals, and how should a comprehensive European Space Programme be run.
Mr. Giuliano Berretta, president of the European Satellite Operators Association (ESOA) presented the Panel 4 related to space applications. Space applications are key components of the space policy. Applications bring concrete benefits to professionals and consumers in their daily activities. Taxpayers and political representatives can see a solid return on their contributions. Unlike many other space programmes, space applications address many user communities. The needs of all communities should be taken into account in the future space programme.
Sectorial recommendations have been made in the field of satellite communications, Earth observation, and positioning, navigation & timing.The future European Space Strategy should rest on three pillars: EGNOS and GALILEO for navigation, GMES for Earth observation, and a new SATCOM programme.
- European Space policy must provide for securing financing, covering the development and operations of a European infrastructure as well as applications, including science, in space and on Earth.
- European Space policy can build on existing structures of EU, ESA and other European institutions.
- European coordination should be improved, not only between EU and ESA, (and between them and European governments), but also between public institutions and industry and the scientific community.
Lieutenant-Colonel Alexandros Kolovos presented the Panel 6 on the security dimension, a special workshop organised by the Greek Presidency of the EU. The EU Space Policy should include the security dimension, taking into account the complete spectrum of security related activities. This security dimension of the EU space policy needs governmental programmes and efficient bodies.
- Independent access to space is a prerequisite.
Bodies and agencies have to evolve and different schemes are possible. The first option is to transform the existing ones (EU Satellite Centre, ESA, ...). The second is to create new ones. A third is to use complementarities between EU agencies and national agencies.
Mr. Bodrato, European Parliament, recalled that the EC has been asked to define a European space policy. ESA should not be decreased, but EU has competence that ESA does not have. ESA is already de facto the EU agency. The fair return ESA rule should be redefined.The article 150 of the European Convention project gives EU competence in space but not an exclusive one. The article 207 of the Part III concerning the European Armaments Agency is also very important.
S. Buffetaut, Economic and Social Committee, explained that three kinds of financing schemes are possible for future space activities: a European programme, a reinforced cooperation, and the actual system.
Dr Diehl, the German representative of Minister E. Bulmahn, presented some views. The priority is a coherent European space policy. Roles between institutions have to be redefined. EU could play an important role concerning infrastructure. ESA manages perfectly space science.
DG A. Rodotà explained that he was in favour of the inclusion of space in the European Convention. He regretted only that space was assimilated with technological research and development. He also explained the ESA concept of the fair return as a very flexible rule.
ESA's future DG J.J. Dordain wanted to underline that in his speech there was lesser focus on institutions. Space is a question of programmes and not of institutions. He only explained that ESA was able to federate the tender, and EU the demand. A distinction has also to be done between respective budgets and interests.
Concluding addresses were made by Mrs. Claudie Haigneré, French Minister for Research and New Technologies, Mrs. Letizia Moratti, Italian Minister for Education, University and Research, and Mr. Philippe Busquin, European Commissioner for Research.
Mrs. C. Haigneré asked for a financial evolution and a doze of geographical return rules. She underlined the importance of the inclusion of space in the European Convention. EU has the political and societal legitimacy for initiatives in the space field. Some important reform has to be made. She notably asked for a (comprehensive) European Space programme and an EU budgetary line for space to be available in 2007.
Mrs. Moratti notably underlined the knowledge and competence patrimony of ESA.
Mr. Busquin stated that the White Paper would be elaborated in close cooperation with ESA. He made references to the Convention and the shared competence, to explain that a European Space Programme was a necessity. He concluded with mentioning the intention of the Commission to organise an international conference on space in November 2003 in Italy.
- The preparation of the present joint summary report on the whole consultation. This joint report is produced by the Commission/ESA Joint Task Force.
- The Commission will have to present to the Council of the Union and to the European Parliament an action plan (White Paper) elaborated in cooperation with ESA, as underlined by both the EU and ESA ministerial Councils in May 2003. This will acknowledge the contributions that have been received, and include proposals for the content, organisation and level of future European activities in space. This would be prepared for approval by the Commission in October, with consequent submission to the Council and Parliament.
- For discussion with the EU Council, an opportunity has already been foreseen at the Competitiveness Council currently planned by the Italian Presidency in November.