Space

Space can support the Unions key policy goals

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.

Although an EU common policy for space will have to await a Treaty amendment, this White Paper considers that key elements of an extended space policy must be put in place at the Union level, ahead of the entry into force of the Constitutional Treaty which, assuming that the Intergovernmental Conference will not alter the conclusions of the European Convention, will enumerate space policy among the competencies the Union shareswith its Member States. A number of legal bases can already be invoked which enable existing EU policies to call upon to space as a relevant technology to support their implementation.[1]

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.

These benefits will emerge through the valuable contributions space technologies and applications will make to:

• economic growth, job creationand industrial competitiveness
• a successful enlargement of the Union
• sustainable development
• a stronger security and defence for all
• fighting poverty and aiding development

The Commissions recommendations require all stakeholders to work and combine successfully behind a common vision. One of its ingredients should be confidence that thespace 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 Unions political standing in the world, sharpen its economic competitiveness and enhance its reputation for scientific excellence. Europes 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 Unions future. An extended space policy can accelerate their climb to higher levels of prosperity and social and cultural achievement.

Standing still is not an option

This White Paper is not about trying to build Europes 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.

Doing nothing will leave Europe vulnerable to two real dangers:

• 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.

In this White Paper &.

Section 2 gives a broad account of the applications and technologies that can be matched to the Unions 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 Europes 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 Europes 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.

[1] Cf. Articles 70, 154, 157, 163 to 173 of the Treaty of the European Communities