Long-term prospects of space explotation for Europe
- Author(s):
- Parliamentary Assembly
- Origin
- Assembly debate on 27 January 1969 (19th Sitting) (see Doc. 2517, report of the Committee on Science and Technology). Text adopted by the Assembly on 27 January 1969 (19th Sitting).
The Assembly,
1. Considering the report on long-term prospects of space exploration for Europe ;
2. Aware that, owing to their revolutionary and universal nature, space projects enable industrial development in the most varied spheres of sophisticated technology to be raised to the highest level of efficacity;
3. Aware that no industrialised country can today afford to ignore the requirements of 20th century technical progress of which astronautics represents at once the spearhead and the vital impetus for the development of tomorrow's industrial society ;
4. Noting that present space programmes in Europe are not related in their aims, scope of efficacity to the role that Europe should play ;
5. Regretting that Europe has so far made only piecemeal efforts in this field without any common aim or systematic coordination either of national programmes or of the activities of the existing European space organisations ;
6. Considering that no European country is at present able on its own to engage in space activities comparable with those of the USA and USSR ;
7. Considering that Europe's space policy should henceforward be considered as an integral part not merely of the general science policy of the member countries but of their industrial policy as well ;
8. Aware that aid to the developing countries will, from now on, include the delivery of equipment for telecommunication satellite systems which will improve the infrastructure required in those countries for their industrial, agricultural, cultural and social development,
9. Regrets that until now the European countries have left this potential market entirely to American industry, even insofar as ground installations are concerned ;
10. Aware that a European space programme would be Europe's first important joint project of scientific in addition to political significance outside the framework of the Six, and could consequently serve as a catalyst for the establishment of a political, economic and cultural community,
11. Draws attention to the danger to European industrial development represented by the failure to take an immediate decision of principle as to the scope of Europe's future space activities ;
12. Expresses the wish that the potential of a European space industry be developed and efforts concentrated so as to carry out a common programme with optimum efficiency ;
13. Expresses the wish that the authority and activities of the existing European space organisations, and especially those of the European Space Conference, be increased ;
14. Regards the argument according to which the cost to Europe of space exploration would be too great as carrying little weight in comparison with (a) the present level of world expenditure on other far less pacific projects and (b) the benefits that have accrued to American industry as a whole from for example, the Apollo programme ;
15. Strongly urges the European political leaders to put into operation a European space programme based on joint long-term planning ;
16. Decides :
a to draw the attention of European public opinion to the political, economic, scientific and cultural arguments in favour of greater European efforts in space exploration, especially by bringing the matter up in the national parliaments ;
b to invite the President to send copies of this resolution to the European space organisations and to the Ministers responsible for scientific and technological matters in the member countries ;
c to support and keep under close review the efforts made by the Council of Europe and, in particular, the CCC, to encourage the progressive adoption of the most modern educational techniques, including the use of satellites for educational television programmes.
