European cooperation
Cooperation with existing centres of European expertise is a fundamental aspect of the development of SSA services. In addition to purpose-developed infrastructure, SSA-PP will rely on a mix of contributions from European nations in order to launch precursor services.
SSA programme activities are being implemented in close cooperation with European organisations, including the European Commission, the European Defence Agency, national governments, national space agencies, scientific research institutes and industrial partners.
Cooperation for service implementation
In the preparatory phase, the SSA Programme is making use of existing national assets so as to avoid duplication, foster improved technical coordination, share expertise and jump-start precursor services.
With national agreement, existing assets will be federated into the SSA system. These contributions will include ground-based and space-borne detectors and sensors for space weather, radars and telescopes for the surveillance of objects in space, and institutes and research centres that can provide value-added analysis and processed data products.
In addition, SSA includes cooperation and coordination with existing European organisations such as the the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), the European Defence Agency (EDA) and the European Union Satellite Centre (EUSC).
Cooperation for governance and data policy
The European Space Policy (ESP), jointly developed by the European Commission and ESA in 2007, highlights the contribution space can make to EU policies related to security and defence.
The ESP calls on Europe to substantially improve coordination between its defence and civilian programmes. In 2008, the European Space Council encouraged a substantial increase in the coordination of space, security and defence-related activities among European Community members, the European Defence Agency and ESA through a 'structured dialogue'.
In line with the 2008 Space Council Resolution, the European Commission and the EU Council will share the responsibility for SSA data policy definition, making use of existing institutional arrangements.
The development of the SSA system is being carried out as an active part of this Structured Dialogue, a well-established process that includes all relevant stakeholders and serves as an effective forum for the discussion of high-level strategies. Regular meetings enable the exchange of views and helps coordinate the most appropriate approaches and important actions for SSA.
Cooperation for industrial development
To implement SSA, ESA is relying on the well-established industrial base of companies and other service-providing organisations in the space sector. Indeed, SSA is provided new opportunities to European industry to develop world-class products and services and generate new jobs.
SSA: Europe's system
While the SSA system is being implemented under the technical and programmatic leadership of ESA, it is a joint European effort, and relies on the the competencies and resources of multiple organisations to realise its full potential.
These include the European Commission, the EU Council Secretariat General and the European Defence Agency (EDA). For example, while ESA is coordinating the identification of civil user requirements for SSA, military user requirements are being identified by the EDA.
Last update: 14 May 2010
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