U.S. SPACE EXPLORATION INITIATIVE - RISK OR OPPORTUNITY FOR TRANSATLANTIC CO-OPERATION ?

摘要

The Space Exploration led by the United States is highly appreciated by the International Space Communities. The United States directives "a renewed Spirit of Discovery" from the White House dated January 2004 induce the complementary National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Authorization Act of 2005. Exploration and science workshops as well as Space Industry Day meetings have been conducted. The U.S. Congress is supporting a framework for International partnerships and the 2006 NASA strategic plan focuses on the target to "Encourage the pursuit of appropriate partnerships with the emerging commercial space sector". New principles, a legal framework and sufficient management procedures have to be developed to reach a win-win situation in transatlantic co-operation. Looking for common standards opens new opportunities for fruitful International partnerships and especially transatlantic co-operation within the Space businesses. The new European advanced technologies applied in international cooperation projects will allow the U.S. partners to gain leadership through the creation of mutual beneficial situations, which share the risks, responsibilities and the costs. Another important issue and useful aspect is the application of existing space technology applications that may impact the creation of new International partnerships on civilian, commercial and defense programs.