Space policy: coordination of the Union with the European Space Agency (ESA)

PURPOSE : Working document describing a coherent European approach to space. CONTENT : The document : - describes the need for a coherent approach and ways to develop it. Space technology enabled services and applications are used in everyday life. Space industry is restructuring and developing a more market orientated approach, but action needs o be taken at European Union level. To ensure maximum return on Europe's research and development investment, a new approach based on consensus is needed, which must provide a policy framework for future projects. To achieve consensus, the Commission could use the consultative structure; - describes the consultative structure developed with the ESA and reports on its usefulness - details the preliminary conclusions of the joint report on synergy between the Community and the ESA - reports on the Commission's activities in the field of satellite communication, navigation and observation.�