Directorate A - Economic and Scientific Policy Policy Department A.: Economic and Scientific Policy and Quality of Life Unit ISSUES UNDERLYING SPACE EXPLORATION IN EUROPE Briefing note (IP/A/ITRE/IC/2009-021) IP/A/ITRE/NT/2009-01 PE 416.217 This study was requested by the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy. Only published in English. Author: Nicolas PETER European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) Tel : +43 1 718 11 18 24 Fax : +43 1 718 11 18 99 Email:
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[email protected]. IP/A/ITRE/NT/2009-01 PE 416.217 TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary .............................................................................................................................. ii Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 1 1. Understanding the Solar System, will it