Decisions on the future of the European space sector were made at ESA's Council meeting in Paris on 16 and 17 March. ESA Member States participating in the International Space Station (ISS) exploitation programme have decided to concur with the ISS partners' objective to extend the duration of their involvement in ISS cooperation until the end of 2020. Participating States have committed euro 550 million to cover the period until the next Ministerial Council of ESA in 2012, where they will take new financial commitments. Read more
ESA Council Meeting The Ministers in charge of space activities in the European Space Agency's 18 Member States and Canada today concluded a successful two-day Council meeting in The Hague, agreeing to undertake new initiatives in several fields and endorsing the next phases of a set of ongoing programmes. Todays decisions are a further step towards giving Europe the means to respond to global challenges. In keeping with the European Space Policy, designed in cooperation with the European Commission, the measures will further strengthen Europes role in the development and exploitation of space applications serving public policy objectives and the needs of European citizens and enterprises.
At the end of November, delegations from the European Space Agency's 18 member states will meet in the Hague to decide the course of Europe's space programme over the next three years. Ministers from these countries will be invited to endorse a range of new programmes, including Europe's flagship rover mission ExoMars, and an ambitious international venture to return rocks and soil from the Red Planet.
Ministers meet to define the role of space in delivering global objectives Ministers in charge of space activities within the now 18 ESA Member States and Canada will meet in The Hague (the Netherlands) on 25 and 26 November to implement the European Space Policy, setting out the start of future programmes and taking decisions on the next phases of on-going programmes.