European space travel wants to become more competitive
Published: Thursday, May 23rd 2024, 16:10
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European space travel should remain competitive in the face of global competition. Europe has the foundations to take on a leading role in space, said the responsible Swiss State Secretary at a ministerial meeting of ESA and EU states in Brussels on Thursday.
The member states of the European Union (EU) decided on Thursday to strengthen Europe's competitiveness in the space sector, as announced by the Council of the EU. In order to achieve this, additional funding from public and private sources is needed, among other things.
Following the EU Council, a joint meeting was held with the member states of the European Space Agency (ESA), of which Switzerland is also a member. The State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, Martina Hirayama, said at the meeting that Europe has the expertise, innovative companies and outstanding higher education and research institutions.
In order to increase competitiveness, the ESA, the EU and the member states need a common approach and the closest cooperation. Otherwise, non-European competitors would benefit, Hirayama added.
The successes of European space travel were also highlighted at the meeting. With the Copernicus earth observation program and the Galileo navigation program, Europe has two programs that are among the best in the world, said Josef Aschbacher, Director General of ESA.
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