European space Historical perspective, specificpolicy aspects and key challenges IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS EPRS | European Parliamentary Research Service Author: Vincent Reillon Members' Research Service January 2017 — PE 595.917 EN This publication aims to provide an overview of European space policy based on an historical perspective of the involvement of the European Union (EU) in the field. The in-depth analysis focuses on the role played by the different EU institutions and the European Space Agency in defining and implementing a space policy in Europe and the current issues and challenges. PE 595.917 ISBN 978-92-846-0552-1 doi:10.2861/903178 QA-04-17-069-EN-N Original manuscript, in English, completed in January 2017. Disclaimer The content of this document is the sole responsibility of the author and any opinions expressed therein do not necessarily represent the official position of the European Parliament. It is addressed to the Members and staff of the EP for their parliamentary work. Reproduction and translation for non-commercial purposes are authorised, provided the source is acknowledged and the European Parliament is given prior notice and sent a copy. © European Union, 2017. Photo credits: © Atlantis / Fotolia.
[email protected] http://www.eprs.ep.parl.union.eu (intranet) http://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank (internet) http://epthinktank.eu (blog) European space policy Page 1 of 35 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In the 1950s, development of the space sector in Europe was limited to investments made by individual Member States (France, Italy, the United Kingdom). The failure of the first European partnerships in space activities in the 1960s led to the establishment of the European Space Agency (ESA), an intergovernmental institution, in 1975.