ESA BR-267 Report by the 2006 Science Review Team to the ESA Council
ESA’s contribution to space science has been outstanding. Without question, its efficiency and efficacy are on a par with national space science programmes in Europe and elsewhere. Nevertheless, the present level of funding, close to 400 million€ per year through mandatory contributions by Member States, is now some 20% below the average level at the inception of Space Science in the ESRO days (1964–75), and also some 20% lower than the level of the mid-nineties.
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The 'low-hanging' fruit in space science has now largely been harvested and the Science Programme enters the implementation of the Cosmic Vision Plan. It has, thus, been considered necessary to re-assess the planning and decision-making processes, as well as the management and governance of the Science Programme. Accordingly, based on a decision by Council in February 2006, the 2006 Science Programme Review Team (SPRT) was set up and mandated to carry out the review
1. Introduction and Executive Summary
2. The SPRT Review Process
3. A Brief History of the Science Programme
4. Implementing ‘Cosmic Vision’
5. Decision-making and Managing the Science Programme
6. Industry Involvement
7. Back to the Future and Acknowledgements