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European Space Agency

Press Release

European leaders discuss the future of space technology

21 May 2003

Part 2 of 2

Europe's cutting-edge space research
 
The idea of applying space technologies for Earth applications is not
new. The European Union, with its extensive programmes of space-based
scientific research, Earth observation and telecommunications, has a
strong tradition of producing beneficial spin-offs. Today, business
opportunities related to space applications remain enormous.

The EU space industry has developed numerous technologies now being
used in ground-based applications. The investment made in space
research is thus directly resulting in concrete improvements in the
quality of life and security of citizens in Europe. Space programmes
have raised technologies to new levels of performance, reliability
and capacity, perfecting them to unprecedented levels, resulting in
many new and beneficial applications back here on Earth.

The Galileo project and the GMES (Global Monitoring for the
Environment and Security) initiative illustrate this new approach and
underline the need for an enhanced role for the Union in space
matters. They show how industrial and technological successes
achieved by ESA can be maximised through joint space initiatives. The
Commission has developed effective satellite-based environmental
monitoring systems, to detect and help prevent offshore oil spills
and other hazards. Another example of EU-sponsored space projects
concerns satellite mapping of remote regions, such as in Afghanistan,
where EU aid and rescue teams have been able to reach isolated
villages in the aftermath of the 2001 earthquake thanks to accurate
satellite positioning and mapping services.
 
 
Space technology for serving citizens
 
Space has been at the forefront of technology trends for decades. The
demand for smaller and lighter materials and systems, for example,
was largely stimulated by the space industry. The need to produce
small, powerful, self-contained computers for space-related
applications ultimately led to the development of PCs, as well as
many other intelligent devices in areas such as cars and medical
technologies. 

Beyond computer technologies, space research has contributed to a
wealth of concrete applications for scientists as well as citizens.
The same technologies used in space-borne telescopes to study the
cosmos are also helping to understand the workings of the human cell.
Materials developed to protect space instrumentation from the heat of
launcher engines can now be found in theatre seat upholstery,
reducing the risk of fire. 
 

Business opportunities beyond the space industry
 
Space technologies represent opportunities for players other than
those within the "traditional" space industry - including SMEs,
service providers, content providers and private and public users.
Digital television, third generation mobile communications and
satellite-delivered Internet are good examples of service platforms
to which space-systems contribute.

Transferring space technologies from the research to industry and
shifting from "blue sky" research to commercial applications and from
space-specific to other sectors - are a top priority for Europe. One
of the key questions raised by the Green Paper on European Space
Policy and discussed in London, is to assess "What are the conditions
for the emergence of economically viable and competitive applications
and space services for citizens and industries?"

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