EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT HOSTS EU SPACE WORKSHOP 09 JUNE 2011 One of the major themes of the Galileo-GMES-SatCom Workshop held in Brussels in May 2011 was public perception of satellite navigation. High-level representatives of the European Parliament, the European Commission and the European GNSS Agency (GSA) discussed the ins and outs of what people really think about space. "Public understanding and acceptance of EU space programmes is important," said Member of European Parliament and host of the Galileo-GMES-SatCom Workshop Vladimir Remek. "If the public does not agree or does not care, then the work we are trying to do will have little impact." In March 1978, Colonel Remek flew aboard Soyuz 28 as the first Czechoslovak in space and the first astronaut/cosmonaut from a country other than the Soviet Union or the United States. With the entry of the Czech Republic into the European Union in 2004, he is now considered to be the first 'European' astronaut. "But if we are to have any effect on public perception, then we first have to understand it, we need to see the data," he said. A new report published by the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI), called 'Views on public perception and international aspects of the European space flagship programmes Galileo/EGNOS and GMES' , is aimed at providing that clearer understanding. The ESPI's Christina Giannopapa explained, "With respect to the European GNSS Workshop at the European Parliament. programmes, our report shows that 67% of European citizens polled support the ©Peter Gutierrez development of a 'European GPS' system, but they are less enthusiastic when it comes to increasing space programme budgets." Meanwhile, she said, media coverage of Galileo and EGNOS has remained spotty and largely critical, focussed mainly on budgets and delays. "Communication is a very important element," said GSA Executive Director, Carlo des Dorides. "We have to work hard to promote awareness of what Galileo and EGNOS can do for all of us." For example, he said, EGNOS, now certified for use in aviation, can have a huge impact on how we fly, but the aviation industry has to believe in it, "because the long investment cycles in that industry mean they have to be sure we will be with them over the long haul." And that means the commitment of decision-makers to long-term financial support for European GNSS has to be absolutely clear. "The fact is that we do have that commitment today," said des Dorides. "EGNOS and Galileo do have the support of lawmakers and they are not going to go away. What we have to do is make sure industry knows this." Political will, economic benefits, or national pride? Giannopapa pointed out that while national pride has always been seen as a critical driving force behind space programmes, especially during the space-race era, political will has been just as important. "Studies have shown that in the days when the USA and Russia were racing each other to the Moon, most Americans were more concerned with the state of their economy and with providing a good education for their children," she explained. "While they were proud of their country's achievements, it was the determination of the US government to provide material support to its space programme that really made the difference." Carlo des Dorides and Vladimir Remek. Michel Bosco, Deputy Head of the GNSS Applications and International Relations unit in ©Peter Gutierrez the European Commission, said that in the absence of a strong sense of European identity, the economic argument must come to the forefront. "Until now, our citizens have not shown a lot of enthusiasm about being European, or about European accomplishments. They are more attached to their own national identities at the Member State level. "The European Space Agency has done a lot to advance the concept of a true European identity in space," Bosco said, "especially with its astronaut corps, but there is an even more concrete case to be made in terms of the added value for businesses and for our economy. The benefits of EGNOS are already there to be seen in the agriculture sector, for instance." "More than anything," Remek concluded, "in order to convince people of the value of these programmes, we need to focus on success. We need Galileo to be a success. Galileo, in a very real way, is Europe – no one country can accomplish this task by itself. If we can make it a success, by working together, Galileo will have served as a great example for everyone, about what we can accomplish, within Europe and beyond." More information: ESPI homepage ESPI Report : 'Views on public perception and international aspects of the European space flagship programmes Galileo/EGNOS and GMES' ..