THE IMPACT OF EUROPEAN CO-OPERATION IN SPACE ON EUROPEAN SPACE EFFORTS: LESSONS FOR THE FUTURE

摘要

This paper tests the hypothesis that cooperation in European space programs is the key determinant of European space expenditure. The hypothesis essentially looks at whether there is a powerful substitution effect in Europe, leading to full 'crowding-out' of national space expenditure by cooperative space expenditure. Key economic benefits of European collaboration in space, such as the absence of duplication in R&D and a sizeable market result in the ability of Europe to sustain at low cost its space capabilities, while its industry competes in commercial space markets. The increasing collaboration of Europe in space is shown in the paper to lead to increasing space funding for collaborative programs, at the expense of national space programmes. The econometric analysis reveals that over the past 25 years Europe's level of integration in space stands at two thirds, one third short of full integration. It is argued in this paper that the resulting transformation of European national space programs into collaborative ones must be accompanied by reforms in the respective institutions that manage and decide upon such programs. The paper recommends the formation of an integrated European policy with regards to the space industry, and management and procurement of space programmes to complement efforts for a single research area.