Reply to the 3rd annual report of the European Space Vehicle Launcher Development Organisation (ELDO)

Resolution 382 (1968)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

Assembly debate on 25 September 1968 (15th Sitting) (see Doc. 2451, report of the Committee on Science and Technology). Text adopted by the Assembly on 25 September 1968 (15th Sitting).

The Assembly,

European space crisis

1. Having examined the 3rd report of ELDO, which that organisation has addressed to the Council of Europe in accordance with Article 12 of the ELDO Convention ;

2. Conscious of the difficulties with which ELDO is faced at the present critical stage of European space co-operation, congratulates the ELDO Council and Secretariat on its perseverance in spite of repeated discouragements ;

3. Recalling that when the 2nd ELDO report was considered by the Assembly, ELDO had overcome a serious financial crisis,regretting that the continued existence of ELDO is again in danger because all member governments have not agreed to additional financing beyond the ceiling agreed by the 1966 Ministerial Conference ;

4. Calling attention to the factthat, in accordance with the decisions of this Conference, member states are only obliged tocontribute up to the agreed overall ceiling of 626 MMU, emphasises, therefore, that Great Britain did not commit a breach of contract when it decided not tocontribute additional money;believes however that a failure ofELDO could put an end to European space co-operation in general ;

5. Noting that itis proving difficult to satisfy fully the new rules on geographical distribution of work as agreed in 1966 and stressing that it would be easier to reach this aim ifsuch rules were applied to a wider range of space activities ;

6. Noting with satisfaction that co-ordination and co-operation between the European space organisations have increased in 1967 and that the ELDO and ESRO Secretariats have moved into the same building, hopes that this will make for even closer coordination, but regrets that the amalgamation of all European space organisations under one single authority has not yet been decided ;

Execution of the programme

7. Noting that while the firings in 1964, 1965 and 1966 were successful, the second phase of the trials of 1967 were only partially successful ;

8. Noting with satisfaction the acceptance of the principle that for the new combined programme the Secretariat General can place direct contracts with industry, believes that the greater power of decision given to the Secretariat General will make for more efficiency and benefit European space co-operation in general ;

9. Recalling the insistence of the Assembly on the importance of closer rela-iions between the ELDO Secretariat and European industry, welcomes the creation of the Industrial Integrating Group (SETIS) ;

10. Noting with satisfactionthe success of the joint NASA,ESRO, ELDO, Euro-Space Documentation Service, hopes that it will be extended to include applied technology in all sectors of industry ;

Launchers and satellites applications

11. Noting with particular satisfactionthat the Assembly's wish to see more emphasis put on a policy for the sale of launchers and launchings has been taken into account ;

12. Noting that while it has been envisagedthat ESRO, CETS and the French-German Symphony Project should use ELDO-produced launchers, regrets that no firm decision was taken on this in 1967, hopes that member governments concerned will take the necessary steps to ensure that ESRO and CETS give priority to the purchase of ELDO launchers ;

13. Noting with satisfaction that studies have shown that an improved launcher which it is possible for Europe to produce can put the 500-kilo pay-load required for a television broadcast service into geostationary orbit, and that the putting into geostationary orbit of two tons could also be achieved in Europe, hopes that in order to achieve this aim the member governments will agree to start development work on a liquid hydrogen stage,

14. Resolvesto invite the ELDO Ministerial Conference and the ELDO Council:

to work out a formula that will enable Europe to remain in the space launcher business, thus capitalising the vast sums of money already spent as well as taking advantage of the experience already gained by ELDO and its contractors in this field ;

to take positive decisions on that new programme which is necessary ifELDO is to continue, and to assume contractual responsibilityfor the long-term financing of such a new programme ;

to work towards a common European space policy in which scientific and applicationwork is harmoniously balanced and in which ELDO and ESRO can work together to mutual benefitand eventually as a unified organisation ;

to elaborate its industrial policy, so that the industrial benefits of the space programme can be fairly and widely sharedand so that selected specialisation among the advanced industries in member countries may in due course be achieved.