For the first time, member states have unambiguously mentioned the European Ariane and Vega launchers in European institution orders within the conclusions adopted on the second day of the Competitiveness Council on Tuesday 30 May. Ministers have also backed the Commission’s space strategy for Europe, particularly in the security arena.
In his reply to EUROPE, Chris Agius, the Maltese Secretary of State for Research and Innovation, justified this approach by explaining that, “expressing a preference for them (the European launchers – Ed) is quite natural and demonstrates that space offers a strategic advantage”. He also said that this was a way of demonstrating that Europe is at the cutting edge of launcher technology and that they had to take advantage of this fact, particularly if they were to benefit European citizens.
The preference for European launchers in public orders already exists in reality, as several European sources have pointed out to us. This time, however, this approach is clearly included in a policy document. In the part on strengthening European autonomy in space access, the member states are calling for “institutional clients” to have access at “affordable prices” with a good cost efficiency, “through the use of European launchers – mainly Ariane, Vega and their evolved versions”.
This reference is not insignificant and was added during negotiations (see EUROPE 11748). Asked by EUROPE about whether this involved a form of European preference that dared not speak its name, the Commissioner for Research, Carlos Moedas, explained that European preference was legitimate. According to the Commissioner this was “because there are people who do not play by the same rules as us, the Europeans”. He also underlined the importance of the reciprocity principle in trade.
The Ariane space launcher manufacturer and operator mentioned in the conclusions has been making the demand for European preference for a long time, particularly with regard to the US and whose market Ariane space has been unable to penetrate. Moreover, the US space industry has become very aggressive and is steadily encroaching on the European markets. For example, the Bulgarian firm, BulgariaSat, said that it intended to put a satellite in orbit with a launcher produced by the US Space X company, according to the Space Intel Report, the information site specialising in Space industry news.
Key elements in conclusions: Data storage, security, Space diplomacy, budget, etc
Overall, the conclusions cover the structure of the European Commission strategy and call for: a maximisation of the impact on society of Space activities; promotion of European Space sector competitiveness at a global level, particularly with regard to the increase in “New Space”; strengthening of the Union’s Independence in Space access; ensuring European Space diplomacy.
Many different demands are made. In the first part, the member states highlight the importance of data generated by the space sector, particularly by way of Copernicus and their potential use by SMEs. In this regard, ministers are calling on the Commission to work towards the implementation of a permanent data storage network and a good cost efficiency relationship.
They welcome the launch of the initial Galileo (see EUROPE 11672) services and highlight the importance of the future compatibility of the receivers with the European flagship programme. During the discussions with ministers, the Commissioner for the Internal Market and Industry Elżbieta Bieńkowska, praised the results made by Galileo, which she said went beyond expectations. She also dismissed the recent technical problems experienced in the programme (see EUROPE 11722).
One interesting point involves the fact that the member states are calling for the introduction of “targeted measures” to help with the member states and regions “that have emerging space competencies” such as the Azores and which are looking at the possibility of becoming launch zones.
Above all, the Council has approved the Commission’s decision to extend space activities and the security arena (border control, maritime monitoring) and launching a governmental telecommunications satellite initiative. During its speech, Germany highlighted the need not to encroach on national competencies.
On the issue of European Space diplomacy, the member states highlight the importance of international partnerships for procuring outlets for the European industry. They are therefore proposing to the Commission, together with the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the member states, to explore possible avenues within the international framework of cooperation for opening up new markets to European industries and services.
Finally, they also encourage the Commission to draw up a roadmap for implementing the strategy, without impinging on the future discussions on the forthcoming financial framework. On this point, the Commissioner’s speech to member states, highlighted the importance of obtaining a budget in keeping with the European Union’s level of ambition in the sector. He also explained that space was now clearly a Commission priority. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)