Issues underlying space exploration in Europe

This briefing note addresses several issues underlying space exploration in Europe: (i) the pros and cons of exploring the solar system via the means of either humans or robots, (ii) how can the increasing knowledge of space help the EU citizens understand and mitigate problems we face on Earth, (iii) the socio-economic aspects of the space sector - in particular, the added value of investing in space activity coupled with high human capital and specialised research establishments.