Getting ahead in the stars: how Space research pays

Date: 10/02/05

Two MEPs offer their perspectives on European Space research

A common EU space policy will help propel Europe into a knowledge-based society, says Umberto Guidoni

Why do we want to put our money, European taxpayer's money, into Space? Because going into Space is hard and we can learn a great deal in the process.

The increased level of knowledge could help our society to solve other difficult problems on Earth. To succeed in the Space business we need cutting-edge technology and exceptional people that have to surpass themselves; Space can contribute to shape Europe as the most advanced knowledge-based society.

Human presence in Space has been a dream for generations; it is fascinating for people of any age and specifically for young people, it provides a strong example of passion, motivation and commitment to inspire our new generations.

Europe has equipped itself as a Space player over the past 40 years with a wide range of capabilities in Space sciences, satellite technologies, rocket launch, as well as ground and orbital infrastructures for human Space flights. Last year we had the celebrations for the 25th anniversary of the first European citizen in Space; an impressive achievement.

Until now, several European countries have been pursuing their national goals while also benefiting from a European dimension derived from pooling most of their efforts within the framework of the European Space Agency (ESA).

Now it is time for the EU to put in place a common policy for Space at the Union level, the political framework of the Union is the only adequate one to provide the appropriate conditions to reap the benefits of an extended European presence in the Space sector.

These benefits will emerge through the valuable contributions Space technologies will make to economic growth, creation of better qualified jobs, EU industrial competitiveness and a stronger security for all.

We should share the vision that a common Space policy will help Europe to be a better neighbour and a respected global partner.

The Union will be better able to defend its core values: democracy, social cohesion, sustainable development and maintenance of peace through dialogue and diplomacy. In addition, the Union will be more strongly equipped as a global leader in the political, economic and scientific arenas.

By investing in the right domains and in effective programmes, an extended Space policy will help raise the Union's political standing in the world, sharpen its economic competitiveness and enhance its reputation for scientific excellence. Europe's enthusiasm for international co-operation in Space activities means that many of the benefits of Space policy can be shared with mankind in general.

EU involvement in Space is not about trying to build Europe's prestige on new foundations; it is about the need to secure new infrastructures and services and to open up new opportunities.

The Galileo program, the advanced European civilian satellite navigation system, a powerful competitor of the US GPS military system, is a great example of how Europe can gain independence in key technological sectors and increase its political leverage through greater international co-operation with countries like China and India. A broader, cost-effective Space policy will need an increase in overall expenditure in the medium and long term to develop concrete actions to respond to concrete needs and to deliver genuine benefits.

Doing nothing will leave Europe vulnerable to dangers: decline of its capacity as a key Space player, decline of its leading Space companies and eventually, if our growth does not keep pace with the global evolution in the Space sector, the ability of Europe to develop and sustain new technologies and applications could be jeopardised.

In the second millennium, Europeans have been bold explorers. At the dawn of the third millennium we should not forget it, continuing to look forward to the new frontier we should dare to explore: Space.

• Italian Communist MEP Umberto Guidoni is a former astronaut and a member of the Parliament's committee on industry, research and energy.

Small firms or inventors often have the best ideas - but more should be done to nurture their plans, argues Peter Skinner

Under the research proposals for the EU scientific Framework Programme, 15% of the budget should be aimed at involving the small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) across the EU. This is relevant for Space technology. Currently the figures are not encouraging with only 6% of successful applications for funds going to these engines for growth. The target, which I think is timid - the majority of firms in Europe are SMEs - illustrates a common problem for these types of business in becoming involved in such big projects. It also shows the failure of the EU to recognise the potential impact that can be derived from their involvement and the problems in realising the Lisbon Agenda. Part of the problem is that when big consortia get together to bid for some of the large lumps of money in the Framework Proposals, it seems too messy for them to bother to consider the partnership of an SME. That is a pity for, in my experience, some of the best ideas have sprung from the 'left field': these are ideas that could provide employment and exports.

The reality is that many innovators at the cutting edge of Space technology are likely to be found working in garages or garden sheds, as are two inventors from my constituency. There is less likely to be a professor of Space Technology, ready and waiting to invent tomorrow's world, than there is a student of politics ready to be next prime minister of the UK - they are usually lawyers. One technology, in demand at present, concerns lightweight structures for Space habitats and the use of intelligent materials to make the construction both durable and flexible. My south-east England inventors have come up with a special fabric structure which has more strength than steel in withstanding pressures and which is incredibly light. It is foldable and therefore easy to store and transport (payloads into Space are extremely expensive). The device was tested at the Defence Establishment Research Agency in the UK and passed rigorous tests at immense pressures. Since then, they have designed several new high-tech composites very much lighter and the machinery to make them. Unfortunately they cannot afford to finish the R&D work or patent the designs worldwide at a cost to each of them of about £55,000 (€80,000) annually.

A Space structures symposium last year in Tivoli, Italy was attended by some of Europe's finest minds. Papers were distributed and brains were 'stormed'. A presentation was made by the above-mentioned SME but after the event nothing was heard. This was surprising to my contacts who regarded their technology as a perfect match, perhaps even ahead of the game. Coming back down to ground with a crash is something which most micro businesses have to accept from time-to-time, but even without a euro to offer, the EU does itself no favours whatsoever among the business community by building up hope and then knocking down potential.

If you see this in the context of the Lisbon Agenda, immediately things become even clearer. The adventure into Space fits all of the criteria for reinvigorating the scientific agenda with huge potential for industrial spin-offs. Applications in plastics and materials, that are commonplace today, are the spin-offs from Space engineering in the 1960s and 1970s.

Given the experience of Tivoli, readers will not be surprised to learn that the two inventors are not attending the next conference in the Netherlands. To add insult to injury, an American conglomerate in the Aerospace industry has recently expressed an interest in their idea with decision-making timetables to match the speed of rockets.

If the EU is to take its role as a contributor to Space and fulfil its promise on SME involvement in Space technology then a better look at the procedures and linkage between micro businesses and the Framework Programmes is essential.

As a friend of mine is often keen to say about the simple things in life, "it's not rocket science you know..."

• UK Socialist MEP Peter Skinner is a substitute on the committee on industry research and energy.

Two MEPs offer their perspectives on European Space research.