Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

[**Avis juridique important**](../../../editorial/legal_notice.htm)

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# 91998E3940

**WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3940/98 by Carlos ROBLES PIQUER Assessing the various consequences of abandoning the International Space Station** 
  
*Official Journal C 325 , 12/11/1999 P. 0039*

  

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3940/98

by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Assessing the various consequences of abandoning the International Space Station

The first section of the International Space Station was launched successfully from Baikonur (Kazakhstan) on 20 November 1998. It is designed to turn into reality things that have for decades been science-fiction dreams. On 3 December the module Zarya (Sunrise) will be joined by the connecting module Unity launched from the United States. There have already been delays owing to economic problems in Russia, but the most serious problem is that there is a new timetable for Russia's launching of the service module, now scheduled for July 1999. In the meantime there is growing criticism. A significant example is the editorial in the 14 November issue of The Economist, which says "With Russia's contribution to the project fast dwindling to nothing, the station is now losing even symbolic value..., should it be going ahead at all? The answer is no." Nothing is said about assessing the consequences of abandoning the project.

All this is symptomatic of the growing difficulties of international cooperation in various fields of megascience, space, nuclear fusion, etc. Can the Commission say what the European position is and what is at stake for the European Space Agency and its members?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(4 March 1999)

Although the United States have staked a considerable amount in the Station, in terms of image and of capacity to be allotted to extensive international cooperation, this has only been modestly reflected in Europe since involvement by the Member States, Norway and Switzerland only accounts for roughly 8,5 % of the total estimated development cost, of EUR 35 000 million, or in other words some EUR 3 000 million.

Europe's contribution to the international space station basically derives from decisions taken within the European Space Agency. That contribution currently takes up 16 % of the current Agency budget and should not exceed 20 % over the next five years. No development funding for the station is planned under the fifth framework programme for research and development.

The station should enable a large number of the techniques needed to continue the conquest of space to be tested and may, in view of its legal and financial aspects, be considered to be the prototype for the international associations needed for this type of venture. However, in view of the restricted European commitment, shutting down the station would have no impact on Europe's space industry.

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