80 likes | 261 Views
Germany’s View on International Involvement in the Vision for Space Exploration. Dr. Kai-Uwe Schrogl Head, Corporate Development and External Relations Department German Aerospace Center (DLR) Symposium on Space Exploration and International Cooperation Washington D.C., June 21-22, 2004 .
E N D
Germany’s View on International Involvement in the Vision for Space Exploration Dr. Kai-Uwe Schrogl Head, Corporate Development and External Relations Department German Aerospace Center (DLR) Symposium on Space Exploration and International Cooperation Washington D.C., June 21-22, 2004
Germany and Europe in Space • European space activities rely on a strong and robust political mandate. • The recentWhite Paper on Space provides an action plan for implementing the European Space Policy, which is agreed by all member states. • Germany is among the prime contributors to the European Space Programs. • Germany provides more than 40% to the European share in the ISS and 25% to the Space Science Program.
German-US Cooperation • DLR has a 40 year history of successful cooperation with the US. • Success stories include projects such as: • Spacelab: Was build in Germany • Jupiter Probe Galileo • Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) • 7 German Astronauts flew on the Space Shuttle • International cooperation is important for DLR and the US is a key partner in the world.
Germany in Space Exploration • Germany has a proud history in planetary research and many achievements have been reached in cooperation with the US, such as: • Mars Pathfinder Mission • Mars Exploration Rover Mission • Cassini-Huygens mission • DLR’s High-Resolution Stereo Camera is currently transmitting pictures from the Martian surface in an unprecedented resolution and clarity.
German Priorities for Space Activities • The White Paper on Space of the EU clearly prioritizes application oriented programs such as Galileo and GMES. • The completion and utilization of the ISS is the expressed priority for the German and the European Manned Space Program. • The German interest in space exploration is focused on robotic exploration missions, reflected in existing National and European programs. • Currently, manned exploration beyond the ISS is not foreseen within the German space program. Germany will not participate in the planned ESA “Aurora”-Program.
Limits to International Cooperation • European budgetary constraints: no more than about 1 Billion EUR ($1,2 Billion) per year for exploration (robotic and manned) including existing manned spaceflight programs (ISS, ATV). • Completion and exploitation of ISS will consume most of the available resources. • With NASA´s planned investments (larger than $150 Billion from 2005-2020) Europe could be able to contribute much less than 10% in the best case. This would be similar to the current ISS cooperation model.
Chances for International Cooperation • The contradiction between the announcements for a strong national U.S. program and the promotion of international cooperation fosters reservations. • A participation and cooperation within the US Exploration Vision would bind financial resources, which might be needed for other programs. • Germany might take a rather cautious position with respect to participation at a substantial level. • Opportunities for industry and research institutes to become subcontractors of NASA or US companies would be welcomed.
Next Steps • International partner in ISS soon need clarity on the key issues of ISS. It is still unclear how the U.S. will meet all the obligations for ISS (IGA and NASA/ESA-MoU) under the new vision. • The planned ISS exploitation should not be impacted by the new US Space Policy. • Details of the implementation of the US exploration initiative are needed to further consider interest in cooperation. • Europe will carefully examine the US Space Exploration Vision and the plans for its implementation before any decision.