SPACE ACTIVITIES IN AUSTRIA: PERSPECTIVES OF A SPACE-USING COUNTRY IN THE NEW EUROPEAN SPACE POLICY

摘要

Austria can look upon a long tradition of involvement with space activities. Today its space industry and space research institutions are involved in programmes of the European Space Agency and conduct research and technology development activities in the frame of national programmes and through cooperation with other space-faring and space-using countries. In the past, economic and scientific considerations have been the main drivers for Austrian space involvement. With the growing influence of the European Union and its institutions and with the entrance of the European Commission as a new space player, a new political dimension has been added to European space activities. The paper provides an overview of Austrian space activities and describes the status of the debate on a European Space Policy. Potential implications for space activities in Europe from the viewpoint of a space-using country like Austria are discussed.