Over-reliance on the United States threatens Europe's space program!
Europe wants to expand its space cooperation, including with India.
August 12, TASS article.
Josef Aschbacher, director of the European Space Agency (ESA), stated: If Europe wants to maintain its position in the field of space research, it must reduce its reliance on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States.
The shock caused by the proposed significant cuts in NASA's funding has become a "warning signal" for the EU, as similar decisions could affect about half of the European Space Agency (ESA)'s space research budget.
The head of the European Space Agency pointed out, "In certain areas, our dependence on NASA is too high."
Of the 600 million euros allocated in 2025, nearly half of the budget for manned and unmanned research depends on NASA's current spending plan.
The White House proposed to cancel several projects important to Europe's space program, including the Lunar Gateway - the international lunar orbital station, and to cut funding for the Artemis lunar program.
NASA will always be an important partner for the EU, but "the way we have interacted in the past may become less effective in the future," Ashbacher added.
The agency's member states are trying to resolve funding issues and expand international cooperation in this field, including with India, which plans to send astronauts to the moon in 2040.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1840197701895168/
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