The European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Commission (EC) have set up a joint task force to implement the continent's strategy for space, which was endorsed by the European Research Council and ESA's council last November.
The European Strategy for Space is intended to strengthen Europe's space activities; enhance scientific knowledge of the planet, the solar system and the universe; and exploit technical space capabilities. The task force will monitor implementation of the strategy, propose a framework to allow ESA to implement the space policy and submit a report on European space activities to the European Union and ESA councils and the European Parliament by the end of this year.
At its first meeting earlier this month, the task force agreed to focus efforts on analysing the situation regarding Europe's Galileo satellite navigation system and on a common effort to expand initiatives for Global Monitoring for Environment and Security. European transport ministers are due to make a go/no-go decision for Galileo next month after deciding late last year to delay approval while issues are resolved including financing and controlling the system and the EC's involvement.
Source: Flight International
