Space

Space Green Paper

1.1.5. International co-operation

International co-operation can be considered for space activities in relation to the wish or need:

• to attain particular objectives through co-operation rather than independently;
• to clarify particular issues in a global context, e.g. matters of international trade, regulation, standardisation, etc.

ESA and certain Member States have established a long tradition of co-operation with other space powers. More recently, new international co-operations have seen the light of day, notably with the launch of the Galileo and GMES initiatives by the Union, making it even more necessary that Europe ought to "speak with one voice".

From the outset, Europe's relations with the United States in respect of space co-operation have been privileged, given the scope of the American programme and the family links of scientific, technological and industrial cultures.

These relations have nevertheless been marked by a constant desire on the part of the Americans to be pre-eminent in space. Europe participates in American initiatives in space science and in manned flight. However, as a general rule, and thanks to the size of its investment, NASA expects to remain in control design, development and, means of launch, such that Europe contributes to the less strategic aspects of space missions.

This relationship is often reflected in the relative share of on-board instrumentation, and the way observation and experimentation time is allocated between the two scientific communities within a co-operation project.

In space co-operation with Russia, which is more limited in scope, Europe's contribution has been even less decisive, has been for the supply of scientific instruments onboard interplanetary probes or space stations. Seventeen European astronauts have participated in Russian programmes. Politically, a deeper co-operation of Europe with Russia, in the framework of a closer partnership and either current or future instruments, may be of mutual interest. The Ukraine may equally be the object of special political attention.

Europe has today gradually acquired a strong capacity in launchers, science and applications. It is henceforth capable of taking the initiative, intervening on a par with its partners and playing a strategic role in major space projects in a co-operative framework.

A review appears necessary over the range of future major space programmes as to the balance to be found between European autonomy and international co-operation.