TIM FURNISS
France is "at the heart of the European space industry", says Alain Benoussan, president of the French space agency, CNES. He was speaking at the European Space Agency (ESA) pavilion in a presentation that indicated Europe is heading toward full autonomy in space.
The European space industry is a $500 billion business, led by France, which employs 13,000 people in space related work, Benoussan says, but there still needs to be a rationalisation within the industry.
Defence
Space defence is still a main driver and it will be European policy to bring civil space to the fore. He adds that eventually Europe must be fully autonomous in space in an industry that is still dominated by the USA.
"There are three main difficulties to surmount," he says, to encourage the 15 member states of the EU to have a vision of space, using the best capabilities of each of those countries, while lowering the emphasis on space defence activities.
Efficiency
He also says that there must be improved efficiency.
Antonio Rodata, director general of ESA says that the EU's common strategy for space is "to strengthen the foundation of space activities, enhancing scientific knowledge and reaping the benefits for society". He believes that the International Space Station will be exploited well, promoting industrial and commercial space and that a new market in R&D in space would result. Rodota says it is important that the ISS is made more attractive to the research communities.
Earth observation satellites will serve the needs of European citizens through global monitoring of the Earth and its environment, the Galileo programme will provide European with its own navigation satellite network, while telecommunications will be a key to the strategy.
ESA will have to be careful to assess and anticipate market needs, with connectivity, mobility, integrated applications and standardisation. Rodota sees the development of Interactive Multimedia satellites in 2005-2008.
Planned
Europe has an autonomous launch system in Ariane 4 and 5, with an Ariane 5 ESC-B being planned for 2006, to provide a lifting capacity of 11.6t into geostationary transfer orbit. For the next launcher family, it is vital that there is an integrated approach to the reusable launch vehicle work going on at national level.
Rodota also introduced the Aurora programme to explore the solar system, while projects in space science are firmed up to a mission that will launch in 2009.
Source: Flight Daily News
