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European Science Foundation
Strasbourg, France

Contact:
Dr. Jean-Claude Worms
Tel: +33 (0)3 90 24 46 49
e-mail : essc{at}ensps.u-strasbg.fr

Mr. Jens Degett
Head of Communications
Tel: +33 (0)3 88 76 71 32
e-mail : jdegett{at}esf.org

17/06/2003

Green paper on Europe's Space Policy: Underfunding of space science
is at odds with leading knowledege based society

Some of the questions asked in the Green Paper are not relevant to
space research, while other, important issues are not addressed at
all. While the ESSC-ESF acknowledges with interest the existence of
such a document and its potential value, it regrets that none of the
twelve questions posed in the document specifically address or
recognise the role of fundamental research (science) in underpinning
any policy for space. 

Due to this absence, the ESSC-ESF believes that the forthcoming White
Paper should stress clearly, and in a prominent fashion, that the
involvement in first-class science is absolutely essential for the
promotion of European interests and leadership, as it imparts a
strong strategic drive to its technological and industrial system, as
successfully demonstrated in the case of the USA.

The ESSC-ESF strongly stresses the fact that the funds for European
space research have been repeatedly cut in the past years, and have
become notoriously insufficient to maintain a strong foundation for
space activities. This trend must be stopped immediately, and
reversed in a significant manner. Overall the ESSC-ESF believes that
there has to be a synergistic approach taken by the European
Commission, ESA, and other involved European institutions, to ensure
that coordination and existing interfaces are improved, rather than
one in which they would seek to completely redefine institutional
responsibilities. 

Progress requires a sequence of research investments aimed at
acquiring knowledge, maturing technology and developing applications.
The time required for the development of this sequence however can be
very long, particularly in the space sector, and this delay hides the
links between research and progress. In addition, applications do not
usually stem straightforwardly from well-identified research
perspectives; rather they are often the result of an essentially
unpredictable process. An important requisite for the construction of
an efficient European space strategy is thus to create the conditions
for the development of a balanced and long term planning of the
activities. 

The success of ESA's science programme is its dependence on
scientific excellence as a criterion for its projects, regardless of
the diversity of alleged priorities, as well as the merits of its
current mandatory, GNP-related, funding scheme. If the science
programmes are to be perceived as being internationally competitive,
scientific excellence must remain the criterion. Finally, the White
Paper should state that, in the space area, this involvement in
first-class science encompasses research in space, research of space,
and research from space. In order to ensure the long-term planning
and stability advocated in the Green Paper, these other scientific
programmes of ESA should also acquire a mandatory status.

Note to Editors

The process of consultation on the "Green Paper" started in March
2003, and the resulting "White Paper" should be published by the
European Commission at the end of 2003. The European Space Science
Committee (ESSC), expert committee of the European Science
Foundation (ESF), was invited to submit an appropriate response and
recommendations concerning this document. The ESSC-ESF is the main
European-wide body, representing the scientific community, and
advising the European Space Agency, the European Commission and
national space agencies in Europe on issues concerning space research
and related activities. It is a place for reflections and proposals
made independently from agencies and governments. 

General considerations on the Green Paper and the future European
space policy, stressing elements that the ESSC-ESF would like to see
incorporated in the final White Paper, will be published by ESF in
the coming weeks as an ESF Policy Briefing. This document contains
specific replies to the twelve questions posed in the Green Paper,
along with the ESSC-ESF's corresponding recommendations.

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