European co-operation on space research and space technology

Recommendation 251 (1960)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

Assembly debate on 23rd and 24th September 1960 (13th and 14th Sittings) (see Doc. 1175, Report of the Economic Committee). Text adopted by the Assembly on 24th September 1960 (14th Sitting).

Assembly,

Considering the spectacular progress made in recent years by the U.S.A., and the U.S.S.R. in scientific research in outer space and in space technology;

Believing that it is essential for member States to conduct research in outer space, in order to maintain their own high standards of research in the natural sciences; to enable their industries to participate in the commercial developments resulting from space technology ; and to ensure the application of this new knowledge to the benefit of their peoples and of their economies;

Realising that such research would be beyond the economic and scientific resources of most member States acting individually;

Bearing in mind the successful examples of European co-operation in the scientific field furnished by the European Nuclear Energy Agency and the European Organisation for Nuclear Research,

Recommends to the Committee of Ministers :

1 that they study as a matter of urgent policy the possibilities and cost of setting up a European agency to undertake a space programme, based upon a space vehicle developed and built in Europe, and to promote the peaceful uses of outer space ;

2 that they ascertain which member States would be willing in principle to take part in a European programme of space research and the limit of the financial and scientific commitments which each participating State would be willing to undertake ;

3 that, if warranted by these studies and investigations, they prepare a specific plan for the creation of a European space agency and submit it to member Governments for early ratification;

4 that any European space agency which they may create should be subject to overall control by a committee of the appropriate Ministers and to the parliamentary influence of this Assembly;

5 that they keep this Assembly informed of the progress made and that this Assembly be consulted as to the future development of this programme.