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Space


Space Green Paper

2. Placing Space more at the service of Europe and its citizens

Space technologies increasingly can offer opportunities of multiple use, making it possible to develop solutions responding to the various needs of European citizens. Nevertheless, it should be more in line with user expectations in terms of cost, adaptation to actual requirements and continuity of services on offer.

In addition to the very widespread use of telecommunication satellites for the exchange of information (telephony, television and digital data transmission), Europe has in recent years developed a number of applications showing the contribution of space infrastructures which have in most cases provided the basis for services of general interest, to citizens.

Current examples of space applications for citizens and policies

  • Weather forecasts on the short (5 days) or medium term (3 months) have become possible thanks to the systematic use of earth observation satellites. They are also of considerable importance in detecting major meteorological phenomena such as cyclones and El Niño.·
  • The setting-up of a world-wide satellite navigation and positioning system has made it possible to reduce travelling time for people who can now obtain accurate and reliable location data at any time enabling them to optimise their itinerary.
  • Citizens' security also benefits from the use of space technology (monitoring of hazardous transport operations, border surveillance, exchange of sensitive information between administrations).·
  • The stringent implementation of the common agricultural policy requires control facilities, in particular to verify production and land lying fallow. Earth observation satellites provide national administrations and the parties concerned with standard facilities throughout the Union that can be pressed into service with few bureaucratic and administrative constraints, providing highly accurate and reliable results.
  • Given the possibilities of surveillance at sea, the policy for maritime safety and the new fisheries policy make generalised use of satellite positioning technology. These applications combine satellite positioning and telecommunication.

Added Value for the Union

More generally, a strong European presence in particular key areas of space applications is indispensable both as a political asset and in order to enable the Union to maintain its strategic independence and contribute to its economic competitiveness.

The decision to launch the Galileo programme shows the European will to acquire a proper share in the emerging market in navigation and positioning services. In this respect, new space technologies offer equally a considerable potential to increase international co-operation and access to new markets (in particular Asia and South America).

This broader orientation towards the Union's citizens and general interests makes it possible to open up the field to players other than those of the traditional space industry: service providers, content providers, private and public users. De facto, it considerably enhances the potential of the space sector.

In view of the above, greater priority ought to be given to the process of transferring technologies from the research sector to the commercial sector e.g. by encouraging private investment through long?term commitments by the public authorities with regard to their requirements.

It is equally essential to give preference to research actions aimed at industrial applications and value added services which go beyond the strict context of space. In this way, the impact of user demand on the provision and the structure of the proposed space segment will be increased. The Union could play a determinant role in the structure and progressive consolidation of this demand, notably the public demand.

In the decades ahead, Europe will have to face major new challenges and large-scale requirements. Three main themes, which have received the attention of European Summits, may serve to illustrate the potential contribution of the space sector:

  • the objective of turning Europe into the world's most advanced knowledge society by 2010 (including its larger dimension and permitting cultural diversity);
  • the strong stance of the Union on sustainable development issues;
  • the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Common Security and Defence Policy which are in active development.
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