Reference News Network, November 29 report: According to the website of the UK's Financial Times on November 27, European Space Agency (ESA) member states have for the first time agreed to fund a program explicitly aimed at military (and also civilian) needs, and have finalized the agency's budget for the next three years, which is unprecedented in its increase.

The agency's "European Space Resilience Program" aims to create a "system of systems" at the military level, integrating national space assets to provide reliable surveillance, communication, and navigation capabilities, while conducting Earth observation for related climate purposes.

ESA Director Joseph Aschbacher stated that the agency has received "clear defense and security authorization from member states." The 1970s-era treaty established by ESA clearly stipulates that the agency should develop technology for "peaceful purposes."

This shift comes against the backdrop of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, which highlighted the crucial importance of space-based communication, navigation, and observation capabilities for national security.

The program seeks 1.35 billion euros in funding support, and at the ministerial meeting held in Bremen, Germany, it secured about 1.2 billion euros. In February next year, it will seek an additional 250 million euros in funding from European countries' defense ministries.

Aschbacher said this is the first clear military-level capability built by the European Space Agency, and it is being developed in close collaboration with the European Commission.

After two years of consultations and two days of intense final negotiations, ESA member states in Bremen agreed to increase the agency's total budget to 22.1 billion euros, a 32% increase.

Germany had previously pledged separately to invest 35 billion euros in military space capabilities by 2030. This time, Germany further expanded its leading position as the largest contributor to the European Space Agency. France retained the second-largest contributor status, followed closely by Italy, while Spain overtook the United Kingdom to become the fourth-largest contributor to the European Space Agency.

Aschbacher said that the 23 member states—among which include non-EU countries such as the United Kingdom—almost 100% supported the budget request of the European Space Agency, which is unprecedented.

The agency's scientific missions received strong support, such as searching for extraterrestrial life, and developing commercial rockets and space freight services.

Maxim Pito, head of the space consulting firm Nova Space, pointed out that although the funds raised at the meeting will ensure the program starts next year, it remains "politically fragile."

He said, "The coming year will be decisive for whether Europe can truly establish a sovereign, rapid-response intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance constellation."

Member states also competed to fund the European Space Agency's European Launch Vehicle Challenge Program. The program aims to develop reusable small and mini rockets that could eventually replace Europe's heavy rocket—the Ariane 6 launch vehicle.

In the transport category budget of 4.39 billion euros (20% of the European Space Agency's total budget), the amount of funding committed by member states was more than twice the amount requested by the European Space Agency.

Aschbacher's efforts to promote competitive commercial space companies also received support, with member states agreeing to provide about 3.6 billion euros for related programs.

The European Space Agency said it will also begin studying a mission to Enceladus, an icy moon orbiting Saturn, which astrobiologists believe is the most likely planet to find evidence of extraterrestrial life.

Translation by Liu Zongya

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7578061927335739944/

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