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: [email protected] Schwarzenbergplatz 6 (Entrance: Zaunergasse 1-3) A-1030 Vienna Administrator: Camilla BURSI Policy Department Economy and Science DG Internal Policies European Parliament Rue Wiertz 60 - ATR 00L008 B-1047 Brussels Tel: +32-2-2832233 Fax: +32-2-2849002 E-mail: [email protected] Manuscript completed in March 2009. The opinions expressed in this document do not necessarily represent the official position of the European Parliament. Reproduction and translation for non-commercial purposes are authorised provided the source is acknowledged and the publisher is given prior notice and receives a copy. E-mail: [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 be done via the means of Human Beings or Robots? Implications, benefits, cost, possible results, concentration on missions........................... 2 1.1 Destinations ....................................................................................................................... 2 1.2 Tasks.................................................................................................................................. 3 1.2.1 Exploration........................................................................................................................... 3 1.2.2 Science ................................................................................................................................. 4 1.2.3 Operations ............................................................................................................................ 4 1.2.4 Communications ..................................................................................................................4 1.2.5 Cost ...................................................................................................................................... 4 1.2.6 Risk ...................................................................................................................................... 5 1.2.7 Publicity/outreach................................................................................................................. 5 1.3 Conclusion ......................................................................................................................... 6 2. How can the increasing knowledge of space (for instance Mars or the Moon) help the EU citizens understand and mitigate problems (such as environment, security, knowledge transfer...) we face on Earth. ................................................................................................................ 7 2.1 The advancement of scientific knowledge......................................................................... 7 2.2 The sustainable development of the Earth......................................................................... 8 2.3 Ensure European and global societal security ................................................................... 9 2.4 The political dimension of space exploration .................................................................. 11 2.5 Innovation and economic developments.......................................................................... 13 2.6 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................... 14 3. The socio-economic aspects of the space sector...................................................................... 15 3.1 Has the successful unfolding of the Automated Transfer Vehicle 'Jules Verne' demonstrated the added value entailed in its mission and the value of the EU industry and skilled work force?..................................................................................................................... 15 3.2 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................... 17 3.3 Why should a leading power as the EU aspire to invest in space activity coupled with high human capital and specialised research establishments? ................................................... 18 3.3.1 Develop a politically-driven European space exploration strategy .................................... 19 3.3.2 Space exploration for prosperity and growth ..................................................................... 19 3.3.3 Support financially space exploration activities................................................................. 20 3.3.4 Inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers ...................................................... 20 3.3.5 Reinforce the European identity......................................................................................... 20 3.3.6 Foster international ventures and European leadership...................................................... 21 3.4 Overall Conclusion .......................................................................................................... 21 Bibliography ........................................................................................................................................ 23 Acronyms ............................................................................................................................................. 24 IP/A/ITRE/NT/2009-01 Page i PE 416.217 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Since the launch of Sputnik 1 on 4 October 1957 that opened the space era, space exploration has become a central element of space agencies, particularly during the Cold War. Space exploration from its inception has emerged as an indispensable instrument to furthering national strategic, political, scientific and economic objectives that culminated in July 1969 with the U.S. human landing on the moon. However, after a long hiatus, space exploration has now become again an element of the political agenda of a growing number of countries around the world, and consequently, the space exploration environment is dramatically evolving. The recent catalyst for the paradigm shift in exploration is U.S. President George W. Bush’s bold redirection of the U.S. civilian space programme to pursue the exploration of the moon, Mars and beyond. Space exploration is an emblematic domain of space activities where traditionally only established space powers have been active. However, new actors are demonstrating great interest in it, principally for international prestige reasons and a will to demonstrate greater regional or even global (S&T) leadership, with an increasing number of them making ambitious plans. Indeed, while the first decades of space exploration were dominated by the United States and the U.S.S.R., several new actors are now becoming involved, principally for international prestige reasons, as well as socio-economic motives leading to an internationalisation of the space exploration context. All the existing and emerging space powers have made the decision to engage in robotic space exploration, while human exploration is a central element only of the exploration plans of major space powers with global aspirations. While interests for space exploration are gaining momentum separate and often competing camps regarding the type of exploration to be conducted remain and continue to foster human-as-explorers versus robotic alternatives. However, in the context of understanding the Solar System, the relative strengths and weaknesses of each actor be it humans beings or robots, and particularly vis-à-vis the destinations and tasks to be performed need to be taken into account when deciding on future exploration missions. Furthermore, while in the first 50 years of spaceflight there was a clear dichotomy between humans and robots, the two sides tend to merge as robots are becoming increasingly sophisticated partners able to support humans in specific tasks. The right approach for the purpose of future space exploration will thus be a mix of both robots and humans. Space exploration will allow the study of other planets and bodies in our Solar System both remotely and by direct in situ exploration providing critical information on how to better understand and mitigate key issues and Earthly problems. It will allow the advancement of scientific knowledge, foster the sustainable development of the Earth, ensure European and global security, reap the benefits of the political dimension of space exploration, and encourage innovation and economic developments. Space exploration will thus provide many benefits by generating increasing knowledge that can directly and indirectly help EU citizens to understand and mitigate some of the problems they may face presently, as well as in the future. Global cooperation in space exploration could demonstrate a commitment to multilateralism