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EU unveils Space Action Plan

IRNA

Brussels, Nov 11, IRNA -- The European Commission presented Tuesday 
a policy paper to develop Europe`s space sector. 
The EU`s `Space Action Plan` will have "important social, 
economic and commercial benefits for Europe," European Research 
Commissioner Philippe Busquin told a press conference in Brussels 
Tuesday. 
"If we do nothing, we`ll see the decline of european space 
power and of european space companies," said Busquin, calling on 
EU states to spend more on space sector. 
He noted that last month China sent a man into space, and even 
developing countries like India were pursuing a rigorous space 
program. 
Today, the European space sector directly employs over 30,000 
people in about 2,000 companies. 
Restructuring of the EU space industry is of critical importance 
for its future survival, he noted. 
The market for satellite navigation services and derived products 
around the world is growing by 25% a year and could reach 100 
billion euro by 2010, creating 40,000 skilled jobs in Europe. 
Additionally, the worldwide market for space applications is 
rapidly expanding and could reach an estimated total 350 billion euro 
turnover by 2010, according to the Commission. 
NK/213 
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