European Multinational Efforts
2009 – German Government Space Budget – Snapshot
The Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), Germany’s national space agency, oversaw an authorized budget of €## million (US$## million) in 2009, excluding contributions made to ESA. This represents a ##% increase from DLR-only spending of €## million in 2008. Most major line items within the DLR budget received an increase in 2009, including the National Space Program for investments in satellite communications systems, Earth observation, and space-related ground infrastructure. In addition to the DLR-only spending, Germany made €## million (US$## million) in ESA contributions in 2009. Combined, the DLR authorization and ESA contribution total €## billion (US$## billion), representing approximately ##% of Germany’s 2009 budget of €## billion (US$## billion).
2009 – French Government Space Budget -Snapshot
France’s space agency, the Centre National d’Études Spatiales (CNES), operated on a budget of approximately €## million (US$## billion) in 2009, excluding contributions made to ESA. This represented a ##% percent increase from the 2008 budget of €## million. In 2009, France contributed €## million (US$## billion) to ESA programs. Combined, the CNES budget and the French contribution to ESA total €## billion (US$## billion), representing approximately ##% of France’s €## billion (US$## billion) national budget in 2009.
2009 – European Space Agency Budget – Snapshot
With 18 member states, ESA had a 2009 budget of €## billion (US$## billion), approximately ##% more than the 2008 budget of €## billion (US$## billion). The largest ESA funding line items are the Ariane and Vega launch vehicles, at ##% of ESA’s 2009 budget, and Earth observation activities at ##% of the budget, including projects such as the European Remote Sensing series of satellites, the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity satellite, and the new Sentinel series of satellites to be developed in connection with GMES.
2009 – European Commission Space Budget – Snapshot
The 2009 budget of the European Commission includes €## billion (US$## billion) in funding for space-related programs. The EC space-related budget focuses on three primary areas: space research, security research, and European satellite navigation programs. The space and security research areas are executed through the EC’s Seventh Framework Program, which provides research and development funding to European Union member states on a competitive basis.
2008 – Workforce
Investment in space creates measurable benefits that flow across a wide spectrum of economic activity. The greatest investment that the space industry can make is in its people. The global space economy creates high-paying jobs and also stimulates demand for products and services in industries not directly linked to space.
2008 – Cosmic Discovery: A Look Ahead
Two competing influences shape the near-term prospects of space astronomy: the burgeoning worldwide development of astronomical technology and human talent, and the decrease in governmental support for basic science brought on by economic and fiscal pressures. Probably the most significant event … Thank you for visiting The Space Report! The Authoritative Guide to Global Space…
2008 – Military Space Activity
The United States, Europe, and Japan all took steps in 2008 that will affect the direction and prominence of their military space activities in coming years. The increasing reliance of governments on space-based capabilities makes military space systems valuable national assets. Demonstrations of an… Thank you for visiting The Space Report! The Authoritative Guide to…
2008 – Civil Space Activity
The trend of globalization in space activity continues, with nations entering into agreements to use each other’s infrastructure and space assets. Two decades ago only the United States, the Soviet Union, Europe, and China regularly launched and deployed satellites and other missions to space. Today… Thank you for visiting The Space Report! The Authoritative Guide…
Buying a Ride on a Soyuz And Teaching Students, Too
On October 12, 2008, American Richard Garriott paid $30 million to Space Adventures to travel aboard the Soyuz TMA-13 to the International Space Station as a self-funded spaceflight participant. During his mission, Garriott conducted educational outreach as well as scientific and environmental research.
Telemedicine Aiding in Disaster Areas
The European Space Agency, in coordination with the Institut de Medecine et de Physiologie Spatiales, is developing a telemedicine solution to improve post-crisis management in areas struck by natural disasters or epidemics.