The Most Recent Cases
2.2 Current Status of Recent and Future ESA Member
2.2.3 National Policies National Space Strategy
Space activities in all recent and potential future ESA member states are undertaken according to different rationales and priori-ties. Yet, there are also broad common ra-tionales such as the development of the na-tional economy, industry and scientific insti-tutions, the reinforcement of technological skills, further integration in Europe and the European market, and the will to exploit the societal benefits deriving from space applica-tions.
Apart from the recent ESA member states, the majority of aspiring countries have not yet fully implemented a specific and robust space policy. All of them, however, have
96 “Slovak Organisation for Space Activities.” 30 Apr. 2013
<http://en.sosa.sk/>
97 Ibid.
clearly identified the range of priorities they want to focus on. Taking into consideration the size of their economies, they generally do not aim at having a huge space programme in the near term: they concentrate their lim-ited resources on a few fields or follow a niche strategy by putting emphasis on activi-ties with high economic efficiency. An impor-tant priority is participation in international space programmes that would bring recogni-tion of their expertise vis-à-vis internarecogni-tional partners.
The Czech Republic’s space strategy is con-tained in the National Space Plan elaborated in 2010 by the different ministries involved in space affairs and with the support of ESA. It offers an analytic view of Czech space activi-ties, provides the basis for the decision mak-ing process and defines the national objec-tives of Czech Space activities. Those are divided into mid-term objectives to be achieved by 2016 and a long-term vision.98 The long-term vision aims at ensuring that the Czech Republic: a) has an international image of industrial and scientific excellence;
b) is a high value-added economy, c) is com-petitive and innovative, d) is capable of ab-sorbing and retaining the intellectual capital it creates, e) is an example of virtuous com-plementarity and cooperation between its industrial and academic actors, and f) is an expert user of space resources and infra-structure in operational products and services (EO, Navigation, etc). 99
To ensure the accomplishment of the long-term vision the Plan states that the following mid-term objectives must be achieved by 2016: a) Czech investment in space has an appropriate return, b) the Czech Republic has the necessary competences (industrial, aca-demic, project management) and infrastruc-tures to sustain the long-term vision, c) In-teraction between academia and industry exists and is well balanced, d) The Czech Republic has efficient and effective space coordination and recognizes space as a stra-tegic element of national policy100.
ESA is seen as the main implementation tool to achieve the long-term vision, and for this reason space activities must first include con-tributions to ESA mandatory and optional programmes (especially in the fields of space exploration, space technology, navigation and Earth observation). Other main directions of Czech space activities include participation in
98 “National Space Plan. Summary.” 2 June 2012. Czech Republic Ministry of Transport 29 Oct. 2013
<http://www.czechspaceportal.cz/files/files/storage/Narodni _kosmicky_plan/national_space_plan_plan_summary.pdf>
99 European Space Agency. European Space Technology Master Plan 2012. Paris: ESA, 2012: 85.
100 Ibid.
the EUMETSAT programme; space applica-tions development activities in several sec-tors (transport, industry, environment, re-source management); and space related sci-entific research at universities and institutes of the Czech Academy of Science.
Romanian space strategy has had three con-stant objectives since the 1990’s: 1) partici-pation in regional and international space missions and programmes – in particular ESA; 2) The development of specific national programmes101; 3) Capacity building at na-tional level, development of industry, devel-opment of technological niches and the sale of national specificity capabilities, and im-provement of national and regional security.
These three objectives have been achieved, since Romania became the 19th ESA member state and has a presence in the international space framework; niches such as nano-satellite technologies, advanced data tech-nologies, integrated space applications were developed; Romanian industry succeeded in participating in ESA programs as third party contractors (i.e. mechanical and electrical components and tools for Ariane); centres of competence such as the Institute of Space Science, CRUTA, ROSA RC, university, indus-try and SME research centres, as well as con-sortia of actors from institutes, academia and industry were established, and human re-sources building – diplomas, masters and PhD courses in space-related items in several universities – were realised.102
The Romanian space and security programme focuses on five main pillars: space explora-tion, space applications, space and aerospace technology infrastructure, security-related technology, security systems and infrastruc-ture. After accession to the ESA Convention, the Programme for Research-Development and Innovation on Space Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) became the main instrument to provide national support for the implementation of activities between Roma-nia and ESA. The programme was approved in 2011 and covers the period from 2012 to 2019.103 There are 3 main specific objectives of the STAR Programme:
101 The five pillars of the national programme are Science, Technology, Enterprise, capacity Building and Security.
Resource Document: European Space Agency. European Space Technology Master Plan 2012. Paris: ESA, 2012:
129-130.
102 Piso, Marius-Ioan. “Space Activities towards a Sustain-able Development: Case Romania.” Presentation. 14th EISC Conference 2012 – Thematic Workshop. Krakow, Poland. 13-15 May 2012.
103 Piso, Marius-Ioan. “GNSS Concept in the Framework of the Romanian R&D Programmes ‘Space and Security’ and
‘STAR’.” Presentation. United Nations/Latvia Workshop on
• Participation in ESA’s optional pro-grammes - in the field of Science /Robotic Exploration; Earth Observation (including GMES); Telecommunication and Space Applications; Navigation (GNSS and Galileo); Human Space Flight; Launchers; Space Situational Awareness –SSA;
• Development and operation of micro-satellite missions
• Development of technologies, systems, sensors and equipment for space, aero-nautics, security and related domains.
One of the main national priorities for Poland is participation in international space pro-grammes, as it would enable Poland to de-velop its industry by joining international consortia and compensate for possible na-tional funding problems. Given the difficulties in national funding, Poland concentrates its limited resources on a few fields. The three axes of the national space policy are:
• Space Science, which is the most devel-oped field of the Polish space sector. The strategy is to concentrate research ef-forts on fundamental physics, astrophys-ics and Solar system exploration;
• Space applications. Both Galileo and GMES-Copernicus related applications are considered national priorities. Poland is involved in several ESA programmes in the field of Satellite Navigation and Earth Observation and will be involved in the development of integrated applications combining Satnav, SatCom and EO. Re-search activities are supported by a net-work of specialised institutes and SMEs;
• Space technology. The development of national technological expertise was a primary motivation for joining ESA as a member state. Poland plans to increase its involvement in space technologies by participating in the development of space manipulators and planetary vehicles. It also aims to develop critical European technologies such as processors, com-posite materials and launcher technolo-gies. 104
At the end of 2010, a “Programme of Action for the Development of Space Technologies and the Use of Satellite System in Poland”
was published by the Ministry of Economy and finally approved by the Council of Minis-ters in June 2012. Poland’s strategy aims to achieve four main objectives:
• Consistency with EU policy in space re-lated fields;
the Applications of Global Navigation Satellite Systems.
Riga, Latvia. 14-18 May 2012.
104 Cit., European Space Agency. European Space Tech-nology Master Plan 2011. Paris: ESA, 2011: 123.
• Achieving Poland’s potential in terms of its place among EU countries in the re-search and exploitation of space;
• Using satellite systems to benefit society and improve public services;
• Supporting Polish companies operating in the international space technology mar-ket. 105
The last ESA Ministerial Council in November 2012 showed that Poland is focusing on ap-plications and technology development. While its proportional contribution to optional pro-grammes in the field of Earth observation, navigation, and satellite technology is well above the average of the remaining ESA member states, Poland is investing little money in ISS and space exploration and nothing in the area of launchers. Another focus seems to be on SSA, where the propor-tional contribution is also above the ESA av-erage, similar to Romania.
In Estonia, one of the first steps in the for-mulation of a coherent space policy was the publication of the document “Toward an Es-tonian Space Policy and Strategy”106. This document lists a number of strategic objec-tives for the Estonian Space Policy:
• Develop the potential for economic growth from space related activities by facilitating a competitive business envi-ronment;
• Deliver public services in partnership with public institutions, private sector and academia to exploit the technologies and activities of space;
• Deliver world-class science by developing local space activities and exploiting in-ternational expertise;
• Cooperation with ESA and other national space agencies, and participation in European initiatives (Galileo, GMES).
In 2011 the government eventually approved the first national Strategy for Estonian Space Affairs 2011-2013, which further defines the national objectives in space. The main strate-gic objectives are the implementation of space applications and the development of Estonian high tech industry and science.107 Considering the size of its economy, Estonian policy-makers will probably identify niches in which the country could develop space-related activities. For instance, because of its location, Estonia could play a crucial role in
105 Cit., Manikowski, Piotr. “Developments in Space Activi-ties in Poland”. Space Policy 29.1 (2013): 35-39.
106 “Towards an Estonian Space Policy & Strategy.” July 2008. Enterprise Estonia 30 Apr. 2013
<http://www.eas.ee/images/doc/ettevotjale/innovatsioon/ko smos/materials/towards-estonian-space-policy-final.pdf>.
107 European Space Agency. European Space Technology Master Plan 2012. Paris: ESA, 2012: 89
the surveillance of Schengen borders; or de-velop systems to monitor ports and ships.
In Slovenia, a national space strategy was scheduled for 2012/2013. It can be assumed that it will not aim to have a huge space pro-gramme in the near term. The focus will be mainly on applications using space infrastruc-ture, and on actively developing competences in niche technologies, products and services.
The majority of activities will be linked to ESA and the EU space industry. Slovenia is al-ready following a niche strategy by putting emphasis on the following market opportuni-ties:
• Developing good relations with large space industry in order to become a privileged subcontractor;
• Finding and exploiting niche areas with sufficient S&T potential;
• Positioning itself as an important con-tributor of niche products and services;
• Strengthening skills on the applications side;
• Developing new technologies for user-funded applications in the field of EO, satellite navigation and telecommunica-tion108.
For Hungary, participation in European and ESA programmes is one of the main priori-ties, since in the last few years the Hungarian government has cut off expenditure for na-tional programmes109. Current collaboration with ESA is in the fields of Earth Observation, Science, Human Spaceflight and GSTP Pro-grammes. National activities are focused on two main areas: the development of space-based applications to contribute to the eco-nomic development of Hungary and pro-grammes that provide an opportunity to de-velop Hungarian equipment for space mis-sions. For example, the country contributed to the instruments for the Rosetta, Venus Express, Cassini-Huygens, and BepiColombo missions.110 The development of a fully Hun-garian satellite was also a medium-term ob-jective, eventually realised in 2012 when a cubesat, named Masat-1, was successfully launched as a piggy-bag payload on the maiden flight of Vega.111
Latvia does not currently have a space policy, but concrete actions for the development of a national space strategy are contained in the Guidelines for Development of Science and Technologies 2009-2013, approved by the
108 Ibid.: 131-132
109 Ibid.: 108
110 European Space Agency. European Space Technology Master Plan 2012. Paris: ESA, 2012: 107-108.
111 Ibid.: 107
Cabinet of Ministers on September 2009112. In this context, the strategic goals of Latvia are:
• To concentrate and enhance competi-tiveness of existing space-related re-search and industrial potential: a) to educate local specialists; make use of existing researchers with experience in space-related programmes, and attract high level EU professionals; b) to imple-ment space-related industry support ac-tions enhancing development of space technology platforms;
• To consolidate new international coop-eration projects and foster fundamental end applied research and development