Programme details

1979. December 24th. The first Ariane rocket is launched at the European space center in Kourou. The space market is now wide open to Europe and it is an extraordinary success story.

European Space Exploration

Over the last 20 years Europe has become a space power. The ESA, the European Space Agency is the leader in commercial space launches. European states demonstrated that combining their experiences, they've been able to reach their international partners' excellence.
The space industry is today at a turn. Usual markets are narrowing and concurrence is playing harder. It is high time to take a fresh look at the strategy. A new European policy, better integrated and more efficient , is more than ever necessary.

Achievements of Space Exploration

Space science is a strategic asset. Space applications are used in various domains and have an influence on our quality of life.
Research on global climate change is possible by long-term atmospheric monitoring. Meteorological satellites also provide accurate weather forecasts and enable to predict extreme weather phenomena, such as floods.
Satellite Navigation systems ensure real time guidance and improve transport safety.
The space environment offers also unique possibilities for scientific experiments and medical research. Our knowledge of the universe improves due to scientific space exploration.
Space science makes man look outwards from his planet and tries to answer the ultimate questions: Where are we in the Universe? Where are we going? Where did life come from, and are we alone in the Universe?
Exploring the space means discovering ourselves.

2004 New European Space Policy

In 2004, the European Commission will propose a new space policy with a clear vision because Europe cannot afford to address space issues in a fragmented way.
The new policy guarantees an autonomous access for Europe to space. What is at stake is huge.
First, the technological independence of Europe. The positioning systems, for example.
The coming European system Galileo is a safeguard for a permanent availability to Europeans.
On the other hand, space activities are improving the efficiency of European policies. Data from earth observation, for example, are a performing tool for controlling the implementation of environmental or agricultural measures.
Space is above all bringing progress. Beyond economical and technological issues, the European space adventure will open a new scope of prospects and knowledge.