A roadmap for 29
The first Ue-ESA summit: for a common strategy for future space missions
26 Oct 2009
"All for one and one for all." This could be the most appropriate slogan to summarise the spirit of the first summit meeting between the European Union and the European Space Agency (ESA) held in Prague on 23 October. For the first time, 29 research ministers (from the 27 EU countries, plus Switzerland and Norway, who are members of the ESA) met to plan a common strategy for future space missions to the Moon and Mars. As the vice-president of the European Commission, Guenter Verheugen, stresses: it is clear that "no country is able to undertake space exploration alone." "Prague," he added, "is the start of a long voyage towards the preparation of a roadmap for a common vision." This is happening in the international space scene that, according to the report by the USA Augustine Commission, will see the International Space Station (ISS) in service until 2025, and that will include the increasing participation of important new players, such as China and India.
Europe's commitment is to speak loudly and clearly with a single voice on space matters. This commitment is supported by public opinion, as shown by the Eurobarometro survey undertaken by the European Commission. Six out of ten European citizens see space activities favourably and over 70% of the EU's population believe that space projects are "important". The survey, based on 25,000 interviews conducted in the 27 EU countries with citizens aged 15 and over, showed that space enthusiasts are more numerous in Bulgaria (33%), Greece (32%) and Ireland (32%), with peaks also in Cyprus. Sceptics are a minority everywhere in Europe, but there are significant percentages of sceptics in France (41%), Austria (39%) and Denmark (38%). In financially difficult times the survey did not find full support for the possibility of increasing funding in the space sector: although 20% were favourable, 23% were decidedly unfavourable. The majority of those interviewed (43%) were of the opinion that the current level of funding should remain unchanged.
Among the countries with a significant percentage of people who would reduce funding for space is Italy (27%); only preceded by Spain (30%) and France (32%) and followed by the United Kingdom (26%). However, regarding the future of space exploration in general, almost eight out of ten interviewees consider this as being important to widen our knowledge. In particular, 72% believe that exploration will help protect the Earth, for example in environmental matters, and 71% see space missions as an opportunity to discover new materials and energy sources.
Europe does not intend to meet these expectations. Place a bet on space, even if the bet is not easy. The intention is to harmonise programmes, orientation and position of the member states of the EU and the ESA. New rules and mechanisms for funding are required and, above all, funds need to be increased despite these financially difficult times. According to the president of the ASI, Enrico Saggese, maintaining our participation in the ISS project until 2025 will cost Europe about 5 billion euros. But investing in space ensures global returns in terms of innovation and development.
The agreement reached in Prague lays the foundations for a four-point plan: continue to work on objectives common to the EU and the ESA; improve communication with international partners; design a roadmap for robotic and human missions within the framework of an EU/ESA commune initiative; explore funding mechanisms and schemes.