European space agency and European commission: recent rules for the european space sector

摘要

Since last IAC in Naples the European space sector has experienced important events like the 234th ESA-council meeting held at ministerial level in Naples (Italy). In its course four resolutions were adopted on 20 and 21 November 2012. It is therefore interesting to analyze these resolutions to see in which way European space is developing. These resolutions are ranging from internal financial and organizational aspects/rules to "the role of ESA in sustaining competitiveness and growth in Europe". In addition the fourth resolution comprises a "political declaration towards the European space agency that best serves Europe". On the other side the European Commission issued in the same time frame on 14 November 2012 a document. In this communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament "Establishing appropriate relations between the EU and the European Space Agency" structural obstacles in the current EU/ESA relations are enumerated like the mismatch of financial rules, membership asymmetry, asymmetry in security and defence matters, absence of mechanisms for policy coordination and the missing political accountability for ESA due to the fact that ESA has no formal link with the European Parliament. A couple of ways for the future are proposed in the same. These two documents have to be highlighted as they show in an extensive way that the space sector in Europe and its rules is quite dynamic and developing.