From: Ad 

Ad wrote:
> George Sherwood wrote:
>> Ad wrote:
>>> http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/05/17/galileo_is_military/
>>>
>>> A civie system with mil users vs a mil system with civie users....
>>
>> I think this says it pretty good for me.  I don't think this system is
>> going to make it.
>>
>
> We shall see.
>
> I don't think the EU is in the mood to trust the US, Russia or the PRC.
>
> Adam
>
E.g.:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/05/22/space_defence/


"The European Union has officially got a space policy, an essential
item for any aspiring superpower."

"But, as with the equivalent document produced by the US, it is far
more about military advantage than moon rocks (albeit it a little less
overtly territorial).

According to the official announcement from the European Space Agency
(ESA), the policy has been designed to provide a stronger Europe in space
"better equipped and better coordinated to face the future needs of
its citizens". It promises "a wider strategic scope to address
new challenges, including the areas of security and defence space
programmes, and space as an added dimension to the EU's external
relations".

What this really boils down to is, "we have to have a space policy,
because space technology is inextricably linked with a military edge".

That is, intercontinental ballistic missiles, or ICBMs. The technology
behind these rockets, which allow the owner to send nukes pretty much
anywhere they like, is the foundation of the technology that allows a
nation, or coalition of nations, to send satellites and so forth into
space.

If you can do space, you can by definition nuke your neighbour - provided
you have some nukes anyway. So when a space policy talks about strategic
advantage, or "increased synergy between civil and defence space
programmes", it means the writers want a place in the international
nuclear power club.

The European Council has passed a resolution on the policy in an almost
inpenetrable document, which you can try reading here (pdf).

This makes several references to the importance of emerging satellite
navigation and communications technologies, and the importance of Europe
having a network capable of providing GPS-type coverage that is independent
of the US GPS system, although it does stress that this must be under civil
control.

As for access to space, the Council of Ministers says it is vitally
important that Europe "maintain an independent, reliable and
cost-effective access to space".

In terms of space technology, the council stresses the importance of
"a targeted approach for the development of strategic components, for
which the dependency of European Industry on international suppliers should
be avoided".

These things are all useful for exploring the solar system, sure, but they
are even more important if you want to be able to disagree with NATO
anytime soon."

Adam

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