Today, the European Commission has adopted its Communication: European Space Policy. Drafted together with the European Space Agency (ESA), the document sets out the policy-programme framework for community space activities in Europe. It is based on the ESA/European Commission Framework Agreement of 2004. Founded in 1975, ESA conducts research and development programmes on behalf of its 17 member states in spacecraft engineering, earth observation, space science, human space-flight and telecommunications.
Welcoming the submission of the document, the Federal Minister of Economics and Technology, Michael Glos commented: "Space is increasingly important for finding solutions to global problems, in climate protection or disaster control, for example, and as a key technology in the information society. Europe must deploy this instrument in order to continue to play a substantial role in global policymaking in future."
Federal Minister Glos stressed ESA’s special role in developing Europe's space capabilities: "Space is spearheading European cooperation. For over 30 years, the countries of Europe have been pooling their strengths in ESA. It is thanks to ESA's industrial policy in particular that Europe's space industry is so strong today." European enterprises account for 40% of the commercial world space market.
The paper proposes a number of measures to dovetail the space activities of ESA, the EU and member states even more closely. Glos on this: "The EU must draw on the experience gained by ESA. This is the only way we can maintain the performance and balanced structure of the European space industry, which is essential to extend Europe’s lead in space research and technology and open new market opportunities for our enterprises in global competition."
