European space policy: medium and long-term future use of space. Green Paper

The European Parliament adopted a resolution drafted by Guido BODRATO (EPP-ED, Italy) on European Space Policy. (Please see the summary of 09/10/03.) Parliament drew attention to the value of using satellite technologies and their maritime applications to strengthen maritime safety by equipping ships with the Automated Identification System (AIS) for surveillance, pollution detection and positioning of vessels. The development of telecommunications, whether terrestrial or satellite, could be encouraged (for instance by making use of the Structural Funds) in the candidate countries. Satellite telecommunications could be a useful means of overcoming exclusion from the information society. Parliament went on to ask the Commission to probe more deeply into the common policies (on transport, research and technology, agriculture, the environment, and security) for which space policy provides support and which constitute the key areas of public demand. In all cases, investment in space policy needs public resources but this could be enhanced by involving the private sector. The Commission should investigate the potential for more novel and cheaper space concepts. Parliament suggested the offer of a prize, such as that offered in the USA for a successful sub-orbital passenger flight. Parliament also emphasised the need to remove the trade barriers preventing European firms from gaining access to the market and freely exporting products with US components. Cooperation between the EU and the United States will be impossible to develop to the full unless the market is genuinely liberalised. When the next research framework programme is drawn up, the Commission and Member States need to focus particular attention on the space sector. The latter has a strategic role from the point of view of a variety of industries including the future space-tourism industry. The guaranteed level of SME participation should apply to the space-sector. Finally, the European Parliament recognised the pioneering role of European space science, and called for greater attention to be paid to skills development for human resources and for stronger and more continuous support to be provided for basic research. This must be with a view to creating long-term jobs and generating new interest in scientific and engineering-related professions among young people.�