Paper Titles & Abstracts

The times when space policies were understood as avenues for science, communications and human exploration of planets seems to be over. In the 21st century, geopolitical considerations acquire a greater weight and space is conceived not only as a tool useful for social or cultural motivations, but as a symbol of modernity, political identity and strategic posture on the international scene for more and more countries. Considering three main examples of major space powers, the United States, Russia and China, for which space is part of their strategic posture, a comparison with the different positioning of Europe as a whole shows how difficult it is to envisage today a dramatic step forward in the field of space partnership. However, in the future, there should be a new step ahead in the way space relationships are organized at the world level. For enhancing the way we manage the environment and resources of our planet Earth, as well as for the objective of fostering new ambitious programmes for space Exploration, the international partners will appear more open to the benefits of a new governance model based on the idea of sharing. The author stresses the key role that Europe, already economically integrated and living in peace, could play in favour of such a changed logic particularly in the domain of space. Europe has of course to consolidate its own geographical and institutional basis. But beyond that, it also has important work to do in order to progress on the external avenues, to enhance its international influence, and to show that it is able and willing to reach out -in particular in the field of Outer Space. The European Union should prepare now for the public framing of such a policy change.