N° 14–1999: Beyond 2000: investing in space for Europe
12 April 1999
Why should Europe invest in space? What challenges lie ahead? What is Europe doing and could it do in such areas as : the search for Earth-like planets, cheaper access to space, disaster warning from space, the threat of cosmic collisions, space energy and space tourism? These and many other questions are explored in the second report drawn up by ESA's Long Term Space Policy Committee.
The report, intended to give ESA's Member States a framework for long-term strategic thinking and decisions on space activities, has recently been completed and will be presented to the press at a briefing on Wednesday 21 April at ESA Headquarters.
Starting at 11:00, Peter Creola, Chairman of the Long Term Space Policy Committee, Jean-Jacques Dordain, ESA's Director for Strategy and Technical Assessment, and Geraldine Naja, in charge of European Policy and Prospective Studies at ESA, will illustrate the content of the report and will outline the initiatives which the Committee would like ESA to pursue. The report identifies three challenges which Europe will have to face as it enters the next century: independence, planetary management and expansion beyond present-day horizons.
The Committee considers that Europe needs an ambitious space policy and programmes to respond effectively to these challenges and to continue playing a worldwide role commensurate with its economic weight and cultural heritage. Media representatives wishing to attend the press briefing are kindly requested to complete the attached accreditation form and return it, preferably by fax, to ESA's Public Relations Division in Paris (fax no. + 33 (0)1 5369 7690). Copies of the report are also available on request.
For further information, please contact :
ESA Public Relations Division
Tel: +33(0)1.53.69.7155
Fax: +33(0)1.53.69.7690