Towards One Captain on the European Spaceship— Why the EU Should Join ESA

Authors

Frans G. von der Dunk, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2003

Comments

Published in Space Policy 19 (2003), pp. 83-86; doi: 10.1016/S0265-9646(03)00013-4 Copyright © 2003 Elsevier Ltd.

Abstract

The current European Convention, aimed at shaping the future of the EU, is considering inclusion of “space” as an area of competence in the EU treaties, in order to strengthen the position of Europe in space. While the Commission in this context has contemplated turning ESA into a “space agency of the EU,” a much more fruitful approach would be the other way around: for the EU to become a member of ESA. As argued, this solution would have a few interesting precedents, be relatively easy and quick to implement, and kill a number of birds with one stone.