EU welcomes US space plans, but has concerns

Mars daily ^ | 15 January 2004

[demlosers]

BRUSSELS (AFP) Jan 15, 2004 The European Commission welcomed Thursday US plans to send astronauts back to the Moon and possibly on to Mars, but expressed some concerns over the impact on international space projects.

The EU executive said it will study the implications of the plans, unveiled by US President George W. Bush, for projects in which it participates, in particular the international projects such as the International Space Station.

"Space exploration is an area which lends itself excellently to international scientific cooperation .. So we welcome the call by President Bush for international cooperation," said EU research chief Philippe Busquin.

But he added: "Certain elements of the new strategy seem to indicate the discontinuity of current international cooperation projects, such as the International Space Station (ISS)."

A spokesman for the commissioner said Washington had indicated that US participation in some international space projects, in particular the ISS, "might be reviewed and possibly discontinued in the next few years."

"We are a little bit worried about this trend, and we'd like to see more international cooperation in this field instead of less," the spokesman, Fabio Fabbi, told AFP.

The cash-gobbling ISS has been a source of strain between the European Space Agency and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Europe has been dismayed by NASA's huge cost over-runs with the ISS.

Bush made his announcement at NASA headquarters in Washington on Wednesday, notably holding out the hand to other countries in achieving the goal.

The commission spokesman said Brussels wants a bit more explanation about references to the intention of the US to discontinue participation in some projects, adding that its concerns were not limited to funding problems.

"It's also on the technological and scientific side," said Fabbi, adding that: "We are also a little bit worried about the defence angle."

He pointed out that the US Defense Department is one of the world's major space players, adding that there "is a strong link in the space sector between the civilian research effort and the defence, military space research ability."

He declined to comment further, but an EU source explained that Brussels is concerned that Washington might be preparing to switch its emphasis towards space research with military-related ends.

"There might be the risk that the US goes it alone, but they put too much emphasis on developing military spinoffs from this drive into space," said the source, requesting anonymity.

The Brussels commissioner referred to a policy paper unveiled by Brussels last November which indicated that the expanding EU -- which is to grow from 15 to 25 states in May -- could launch its own bold push into space.

In the policy paper, called "Space: A New European Frontier for an Expanding Union", the EU executive called for an independent EU presence for space research, security and exploration.

The spokesman noted that the European Union, which is keen to develop such technologies as satellites to monitor crisis zones and to counter terrorist threats, cooperates with Russia and China on space research, as well as the US.

"There has to be competititon but (there) has to be cooperation as well. We have to work together," he said.

"We will analyze with the European Space Agency the implications of the new American strategy," added Busquin.

[demlosers]

The EU socialists are whining....Waaaaaa!

[OpusatFR]

We are so far behind on a space station that should have been done by now but noooooooo....we had to wait on everybody and their brother so that it could be an international event!

No way. This time make it all American.

[ambrose]

Agreed... we'd be to Mars by now with all the money that has been blown on this Kumbaya "international" space station.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

"There has to be competititon but (there) has to be cooperation as well. We have to work together," he said.

The Indians, Chinese and Russians are whining too

[LibWhacker]

Socialists are always quick to downplay the wonders of competition.

Dear Europe, prepare to eat our dust!

[SunStar]

"Space exploration is an area which lends itself excellently to international scientific cooperation .. So we welcome the call by President Bush for international cooperation," said EU research chief Philippe Busquin.

Some cheese with your whine?

[cwb]

This sums up what they are worried about:

"He pointed out that the US Defense Department is one of the world's major space players, adding that there "is a strong link in the space sector between the civilian research effort and the defence, military space research ability."

[RightWhale]

EU will have the whole ISS to itself by 2010. Surely they can keep the dust bunnies under control without outside assistance.

[Diogenesis]

The EU is once again ONLY interested in murdering Americans, supporting terrorists, enabling slavery,
and whining when Americans stand up.

[af_vet_rr]

If the EU can't run the ISS by itself, it's got no business being in space. Don't we have some spare Saturn Vs sitting around somewhere mothballed we can send up and make a quick and just as efficient space station.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

BUmp!

[americanbychoice]

What they want is for the US to pay the major share of those projects, as usual, and then demand that any benefits are shared equally. Screw them. We have seen this diatribe before. We are still paying the bulk of the European defense, while they cut back on their military spending. We have done it alone before and can do it again, without a knive aimed at our back.

[kevao]

Unilateral Space Exploration Bump.

[americanbychoice]

The red tape involved by the EU would also make it too expensive and we would never be able to get the job done. What's next , Put space under UN control?
Let's wait for beagle 15 and see what comes out of that?

[americanbychoice]

NASA, the US sponsored programs only work because enough money is put into R&D. The ESA project that just failed was grossly underfunded and thus failed. If you don't put enough quality into a program you are just wasting your time. From my perspective, not trusting the EU is a half full glass of water.
A joint program would simply mean that the US would provide the majority of funding and the EU would take credit for it.
I like it the way it is.
They always crow about the EU having more population than the US (for the time being)and will be a major competitor, but even with 450 million inhabitants, and shrinking, The gdp and productivity will always be below the US.
I can hear it now: "We don't have the money to contribute", therefore the US will have to pay the greatest part. No thanks, I like for us to go it alone.
.......and don't tell me that the EU wouldn't provide enough paper obstacles to prevent a joint venture, especially if we are talking Nuclear propellants for spaceships? All of Europe would be on the streets protesting that one.
....and getting paid for that "Save the world" initiative.

[kevao]

What's next , Put space under UN control?

I'd be willing to send Hans Blix into space, at least.

[demlosers]

and don't tell me that the EU wouldn't provide enough paper obstacles to prevent a joint venture, especially if we are talking Nuclear propellants for spaceships? All of Europe would be on the streets protesting that one. ....and getting paid for that "Save the world" initiative.

We certainly are talking about nuclear engines for space at a tune of $3 billion in development and research over the next 5 years: Prometheus the Pardigm Buster. A good reason to keep the weenies away.

[John Will]

Heh, Just the possabitly of American Space Bombers scare them. Let them fade into history.

[Viking2002]

It figures that these weak-kneed bloviators would want to 'internationalize' something that America's been on the cutting edge of for almost half a century. Imagine what would happen if the EU were allowed to intimidate and muscle their way into our space program - impositon of their politically-correct, Socialist worldview on every decision; miserable, sniveling, two-bit countries like France and Germany derailing American initiatives at every turn, simply for their own shriveled self-esteem; every step forward would be pulled two steps back by Nanny State bureaucracy and red tape; and the endless @ss-kissing and appeasement of environmental Chicken Littles and Third-Worlders that would rather see us living in thatch huts, anyway.

Not a chance.