UK space policy

With an eye on the imminent ESA ministerial meeting, the rationale behind the UK government's often criticized assessment of the utility of space activities is explained. The structure of the country's space policy is described and details given of the UK's involvement in ESA programmes.     

The Future of Public–Private Partnerships in Satellite Communications

Around 50 leaders and experts from space industry, governmental and financial institutions participated in an ESA conference on “The Future of Public–Private Partnerships in Satellite Communications” in Vienna in March 2009. An increasing portion of commercial and institutional space projects are operated under the provisions of service contracts, with public–private partnerships (PPPs) becoming a significant source of financing for space programmes. The conference was based on a study initiated by ESA and performed by Euroconsult, Milbank and ESPI, outlining the main perspectives of modern PPP models in the European satellite communications sector.     

The European space exploration programme: current status of ESA's plans for Moon and Mars exploration

After a large consultation with the scientific and industrial communities in Europe, the Aurora Space Exploration Programme was unanimously approved at the European Space Agency (ESA) Council at ministerial level in Edinburgh in 2001. This marked the start of the programme's preparation phase that was due to finish by the end of 2004. Aurora features technology development robotic and crewed rehearsal missions aimed at preparing a human mission to Mars by 2033. Due to the evolving context, both international and European, ESA has undertaken a review of the goals and approach of its exploration programme. While maintaining the main robotic missions that had been conceived during Aurora, the European Space Exploration Programme that is currently being proposed to the Aurora participating states and other ESA Member States has a reviewed approach and will feature a greater synergy with other ESA programmes. The paper will present the process that led to the revision of ESA's plans in the field of exploration and will give the current status of the programme.     

Europe without fractures: a Spanish view of the European Space Strategy

On 16 November 2000, the Council of the European Space Agency (ESA) meeting at Ministerial level and the European Research Council of the European Union (EU) gathered in Brussels to adopt in parallel two resolutions on a European Strategy for Space. This political impetus indicates a clear motivation to support the further development of the European space sector, based on a much closer collaboration between the two European institutions, thereby exploiting their respective competencies and synergies. This paper presents some Spanish viewpoints relative to the common European Strategy for Space of the EU and ESA. Spain is supportive of the new strategy and the paper describes how its co-ordinated approach could be translated into action across various European programmes.     

航天器AIT模型与试验有效性评估方法

在航天器的研制过程中,根据试验验证要求,需要研制各阶段AIT模型并进行大量各类试验。ESA从1999年开始研究航天器AIT模型和试验有效性评估方法,并开发了MATED应用软件,从2006年开始投入其航天器研制的应用,成效非常明显,降低了航天器AIT成本、加快了研制进度,而且确保航天器的在轨可靠性。文章对ESA的航天器AIT模型和试验有效性评估方法及其应用作跟踪研究,并就我国航天器AIT工作提出开展模型和试验有效性研究的建议。     

The challenges and opportunities of a commercial human spaceflight mission to the ISS

ESA astronauts' ISS flight opportunities are considered as a vital source to meet the utilisation, operation and political objectives that Europe has established for participating in the International Space Station programme. Recent internal ESA assessments have demonstrated that a rate of three flights per year for European Astronauts should be maintained as a minimum objective. The current flight rate is lower than this. In order to improve this situation, in the context of the activation of the ESA ISS Commercialisation programme, ESA is developing the conditions for the establishment of commercially based human spaceflights with the financial support of both ESA and the private sector or, in the future, only the latter. ESA is working in a Partnership with the space industry to facilitate the implementation of such projects and support customers with a range of end-to-end commercial services. The opportunities and challenges of a "commercial human spaceflight", involving a member of the European Astronaut Corps, or a privately employed flight participant, are discussed here.     

Effects of the long-term ESA programme on employment : Eurospace

European countries will be urged to undertake a new space programme, prepared under the direction of the European Space Agency (ESA). Can the financial efforts requested of them be considered as a profitable investment? This article examines the historical and potential effects of the European space programmes on employment, both within and outside the space sector.     

ESA ministerial meeting: consensus or confrontation?

This article looks at the issues facing the ESA ministerial meeting in November 1991. The background to European space collaboration is outlined and the current position on the Hermes and Columbus programmes is described. The financial overrun of the Hermes programme is referred to and set in the context of the overall financial problems facing the ministers. Finally, possible areas of saving are highlighted.     

基于快速极坐标格式算法的MIMO雷达虚拟孔径成像

针对共址多输入多输出（Multiple Input Multiple Output,MIMO）雷达在单次快拍下的虚拟孔径成像问题,分析了MIMO雷达虚拟合成阵列,建立了MIMO雷达极坐标格式波数域回波模型,分析了基于距离向和方位向尺度变换的空间谱转化,指出MIMO雷达方位向尺度变换不再是Keystone变换,提出了一种新的MIMO雷达快速极坐标格式成像算法。仿真表明了该文方法的有效性。     

Europe's next move

Some time before the end of the first quarter of 1991 the Ministerial Council of the European Space Agency will be taking decisions about the development phases of the Columbus and Hermes programmes. The prospects for completing either programme within the originally approved costs are not bright, and operational costs will be three times the amount the ESA spends on its scientific programme. Are they good value for money? The author argues that Europe is in danger of yielding to others the lead in the next generation of space flight.     

Space in Poland—a promising future

Poland has been involved in space activities for some years, specialising in the manufacturing of space instrumentation. Projects are carried out within the framework of international cooperation, with ESA being the main partner. The country's experience and existing potential currently encourage consideration of an expansion of the scope and character of the programmes undertaken, including activities aimed at the commercial market. Early steps have been taken towards establishment of a coordinated and consolidated space programme. Poland also has well-defined interests with regard to the space policy of the European Union.     

Italian industry's approach to space

European space activities began in the 1960's. The development of what was initially scientific research and which later spread to the enthusiastic involvement of Europe's most advanced industry is by now familiar history. The organization of ELDO and ESRO, which eventually gave way to today's ESA, occured in a span of less than a decade. Many major European countries also commenced their national space programmes during this period. This report examines the space initiatives taken by Italian industry.     

ESA strategic planning for space exploration

The European Space Agency (ESA) is pursuing an independent strategic planning process for consolidating a destination driven (LEO, Moon, Mars) space exploration strategy. ESA's space exploration strategy is driven by the goals to maximise knowledge gain and to contribute to economic growth. International cooperation is a key pillar of ESA's strategy as it is considered both, an enabler for achieving common goals and a benefit, opening new perspective for addressing future challenges. The achievement of ESA's space exploration strategy is enabled through international partnerships. The interagency coordination process conducted within the framework of the International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) plays an important role in laying the foundations for future partnerships. It has achieved so far the development of a common vision for space exploration, a common plan for implementing the vision in the form of the Global Exploration Roadmap, as well as a common approach for articulating the value of global space exploration. ESA has been a strong promoter and supporter of the interagency coordination process conducted within ISECG and thanks to its unique expertise in international cooperation the Agency has contributed to its success.     

EXPERT: An atmospheric re-entry test-bed

In recognition of the importance of an independent European access to the International Space Station (ISS) and in preparation for the future needs of exploration missions, ESA is conducting parallel activities to generate flight data using atmospheric re-entry test-beds and to identify vehicle design solutions for human and cargo transportation vehicles serving the ISS and beyond. The EXPERT (European eXPErimental Re-entry Test-bed) vehicle represents the major on-going development in the first class of activities. Its results may also benefit in due time scientific missions to planets with an atmosphere and future reusable launcher programmes.

The objective of EXPERT is to provide a test-bed for the validation of aerothermodynamics models, codes and ground test facilities in a representative flight environment, to improve the understanding of issues related to analysis, testing and extrapolation to flight. The vehicle will be launched on a sub-orbital trajectory using a Volna missile. The EXPERT concept is based on a symmetrical re-entry capsule whose shape is composed of simple geometrical elements. The suborbital trajectory will reach 120 km altitude and a re-entry velocity of . The dimensions of the capsule are 1.6 m high and 1.3 m diameter; the overall mass is in the range of , depending upon the mission parameters and the payload/instrumentation complement. A consistent number of scientific experiments are foreseen on-board, from innovative air data system to shock wave/boundary layer interaction, from sharp hot structures characterisation to natural and induced regime transition.

Currently the project is approaching completion of the phase B, with Alenia Spazio leading the industrial team and CIRA coordinating the scientific payload development under ESA contract.     

The ESA approach to low-cost planetary missions

While ESA has never adopted the mantra of “cheaper, faster, better” there has been considerable pressure to reduce mission costs in recent years. To this end, ESA has implemented a number of changes to its procurement procedures which are now being implemented in missions such as SMART-1, Mars Express and which will be applied to future missions such as the Mercury Cornerstone. This paper outlines the approach taken to each and describes the missions.     

采用ISAR技术的MIMO雷达极坐标格式成像算法研究

对MIMO雷达的系统结构和它采用ISAR技术时的信号模型进行分析,以二次降维方式详细讨论了回波信号在波数域的分布特点,得出两条针对成像应用的MIMO雷达阵列设计准则。在此基础上,提出一种可有效聚焦的极坐标格式算法,经过对MIMO雷达回波数据逐次渐进降维重排,将其从四维转换到二维,然后通过距离向和方位向两次一维插值,把以极坐标格式记录的回波数据变换为直角坐标下均匀分布的数据。针对推导过程中因平面波假设引入的误差进行了分析,得到算法的适用条件。最后仿真验证了本文算法的有效性。     

A European view on UNISPACE III follow-up

Preparations for the third UN Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE III) were intense. The conference itself was a success. But what forms will the follow-up take? Just reading the 150-page report is an effort in itself. Having played a central part in the preparations and organization, Europe fully appreciates the need to build on the spirit of cooperation which emerged from UNISPACE III. In November 1999, the European States gathered to analyze the results of the conference and to set a course for their future participation in the United Nations Programme on Space Applications (UNPSA), which is mainly done through ESA, and for their participation in the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS), which is done through coordination among ESA Member States. This article presents the authors’ personal accounts of the results of the European efforts around UNISPACE III and shows how ‘European foreign policy’ can work in international space policy. It also seeks to illustrate Europe's commitment to putting space technology to work for the benefit of development throughout the world.     

Lunar polar ice deposits: scientific and utilization objectives of the Lunar Ice Discovery Mission proposal

The Clementine mission has revived interest in the possibility that ice exists in shadowed craters near the lunar poles. Theoretically, the problem is complex, with several possible sources of water (meteoroid, asteroid, comet impact), several possible loss mechanisms (impact vaporization, sputtering, photoionization), and burial by meteorite impact. Opinions of modelers have ranged from no ice to several times 10(16) g of ice in the cold traps. Clementine bistatic radar data have been interpreted in favor of the presence of ice, while Arecibo radar data do not confirm its presence. The Lunar Prospector mission, planned to be flown in the fall of 1997, could gather new evidence for the existence of ice. If ice is present, both scientific and utilitarian objectives would be addressed by a lunar polar rover, such as that proposed to the NASA Discovery program, but not selected. The lunar polar rover remains the best way to understand the distribution and characteristics of lunar polar ice.     

ENVISAT RA-2 advanced radar altimeter: Instrument design and pre-launch performance assessment review

RA-2 is a second generation spaceborne radar altimeter designed and developed by ALENIA AEROSPAZIO (ALS) in the frame of the European Space Agency (ESA) ENVISAT programme. The project, started at beginning of 1990, reached its completion in October 1998 with the delivery of the Instrument Flight Model to Daimler-Benz Aerospace, Dornier (the mission prime contractor of ENVISAT) for its integration on the platform.

RA-2 only partly resembles in its characteristics those of ERS-1 / ERS-2 first generation Radar Altimeters, designed by ALS. Principal innovative features of the RA-2 are: dual frequency operation (Ku and S band) for ionospheric bias correction of the range measurements, enhanced precision range measurements over oceans, capability of including in the instrument telemetry data down linked to ground In-phase and Quadrature samples of individual Ku band radar echoes, resolution adaptivity and robust tracking algorithms to allow range measurements and radar echoes collection not only over open oceans but also at land-ocean boundaries, ice and land regions with the real objective of continuous global Earth topography mapping.

Aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the instrument key design characteristics and to present instrument pre-launch performance results derived from the evaluation of the test results gathered during the instrument integration and characterisation campaign of the Flight Model (FM).     

Cross-cultural issues in space operations: A survey study among ground personnel of the European Space Agency

Today's space operations involve co-working of people with different ethnical, professional and organisational backgrounds. The aim of this study was to examine the implications of cultural diversity for efficient collaboration within the European Space Agency (ESA), and between ESA employees and representatives from other agencies. ESA employees from European countries (N=576) answered to the CULT Ground Survey. The results showed that differences in relation to leadership and decision making were the most important issues thought to interfere with efficient co-working within ESA, and between ESA employees and colleagues from other agencies. Employees who collaborated with more than three nationalities within ESA indicated most challenges in co-working due to differences in compliance, behavioural norms and competitiveness. Challenges in co-working differed between agencies, and these differences were consistent with value differences in the national populations. The results may have applied value for training of European employees working in international space program teams.