Andrew Yee[_1_]
August 12th 08, 05:04 PM
ESA News
http://www.esa.int
31 July 2008
ESA prepares for November's Ministerial Meeting
In November 2008, the ministers responsible for space activities in ESA's
member states and Canada will gather in The Hague to set the course of
Europes space programme over the period ahead. They will be invited to
endorse the next stages in a series of ongoing programmes and to commit to
the start of new programmes.
The main purpose of ESA's programmes will be to consolidate Space as a
strategic asset of fundamental importance for the independence, security and
prosperity of Europe. Space is an enabling tool. It gives European
decision-makers the ability to respond to critical challenges such as
climate change and global security, makes a significant contribution to
Europe's growth and employment, provides indispensable enabling technologies
and services for the knowledge-based society, and increases the
understanding of our planet and Universe. Space also contributes to European
identity, cohesion and security, providing inspiration for possible future
human endeavour and drawing young people into scientific and technical
education.
Consistent with the above, Ministers will discuss a programme structured
around five main topics:
1. Space applications to serve Europes public policies, enterprises and
citizens
2. Meeting Europes security and defence needs
3. Fostering competitive and innovative industries
4. Contributing to the knowledge-based society
5. Securing access to technologies, systems and capabilities for
independence and cooperation
To realise this exciting suite of programmes will require the establishment
of new ESA facilities. Negotiations with Member States are underway to find
the most efficient European infrastructure to cope with the upgraded needs
of a Space sector that reaches higher on the political, strategic and
economic agendas of all Member States.
As an example of these negotiations, over the last few months, the UK and
ESA have been discussing the possibility of establishing an ESA capability
in the UK. Officials have worked to define the scope of the capability and
identified three areas, namely: climate change, integrated applications and
robotic exploration, in which an ESA capability in the UK could be
established. These are essentially emerging areas of activity for ESA and
would complement the existing ESA capabilities across Europe.
The Harwell business campus in Oxfordshire would be the focus for a facility
and, with its existing wide range of activities and infrastructure, provides
an excellent environment for a development. Whilst the idea is agreed in
principle, a final decision can only be made after the successful conclusion
of the ESA Council at Ministerial level in November 2008. In the meantime,
the UK and ESA will continue to develop their planning.
Note
Daniel Sacotte, former Director of Human Spaceflight and Microgravity, has
been appointed Director Advisor to the Director General, charged with the
task to develop and draft the Agency's approach to a balanced ESA
infrastructure, in preparation for the Ministerial Council.
[NOTE: Images supporting this release are available at
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM4568N9JF_index_1.html ]
http://www.esa.int
31 July 2008
ESA prepares for November's Ministerial Meeting
In November 2008, the ministers responsible for space activities in ESA's
member states and Canada will gather in The Hague to set the course of
Europes space programme over the period ahead. They will be invited to
endorse the next stages in a series of ongoing programmes and to commit to
the start of new programmes.
The main purpose of ESA's programmes will be to consolidate Space as a
strategic asset of fundamental importance for the independence, security and
prosperity of Europe. Space is an enabling tool. It gives European
decision-makers the ability to respond to critical challenges such as
climate change and global security, makes a significant contribution to
Europe's growth and employment, provides indispensable enabling technologies
and services for the knowledge-based society, and increases the
understanding of our planet and Universe. Space also contributes to European
identity, cohesion and security, providing inspiration for possible future
human endeavour and drawing young people into scientific and technical
education.
Consistent with the above, Ministers will discuss a programme structured
around five main topics:
1. Space applications to serve Europes public policies, enterprises and
citizens
2. Meeting Europes security and defence needs
3. Fostering competitive and innovative industries
4. Contributing to the knowledge-based society
5. Securing access to technologies, systems and capabilities for
independence and cooperation
To realise this exciting suite of programmes will require the establishment
of new ESA facilities. Negotiations with Member States are underway to find
the most efficient European infrastructure to cope with the upgraded needs
of a Space sector that reaches higher on the political, strategic and
economic agendas of all Member States.
As an example of these negotiations, over the last few months, the UK and
ESA have been discussing the possibility of establishing an ESA capability
in the UK. Officials have worked to define the scope of the capability and
identified three areas, namely: climate change, integrated applications and
robotic exploration, in which an ESA capability in the UK could be
established. These are essentially emerging areas of activity for ESA and
would complement the existing ESA capabilities across Europe.
The Harwell business campus in Oxfordshire would be the focus for a facility
and, with its existing wide range of activities and infrastructure, provides
an excellent environment for a development. Whilst the idea is agreed in
principle, a final decision can only be made after the successful conclusion
of the ESA Council at Ministerial level in November 2008. In the meantime,
the UK and ESA will continue to develop their planning.
Note
Daniel Sacotte, former Director of Human Spaceflight and Microgravity, has
been appointed Director Advisor to the Director General, charged with the
task to develop and draft the Agency's approach to a balanced ESA
infrastructure, in preparation for the Ministerial Council.
[NOTE: Images supporting this release are available at
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM4568N9JF_index_1.html ]