Glossary

Automated Transfer Vehicle

The European Space Agency's Aurora programme formulates and implements Europe's long-term plans for robotic and human exploration of the Solar System.

The ATV is an unmanned re-supply spacecraft developed by ESA and designed to service the International Space Station.

Named 'Lunar Craft' in Sanskrit, this unmanned mission to the moon from the Indian Space Research Organisation was launched on 22 October 2008.

This is a group of interconnected companies and associated institutions (faculties, research centers, SMEs) in a particular field. The benefits of these networks include access to specialised human resources, suppliers and knowledge.

This unit will be ESA's largest single contribution to the International Space Station. The 4.5 meter diameter cylinder will add extensive research and science facilities to ISS capabilities.

Under the EC-ESA Framework Agreement, the Joint Secretariat works on the definition of the structure and the preparation of the European Space Programme.

European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service

European programme for Life and Physical Sciences

European Space Agency

European Space Research and Technology Centre

European Space Technology Platform

European Technology Platform: industry-led stakeholder forum charged with defining research priorities in a broad range of technological areas.

Signed in November 2003 and entered into force in May 2004, the Framework Agreement sets out the basis for joint projects, common management structures and closer working arrangements between the European Commission and the European Space Agency.

European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites

The ESTEC is the European Space Agency's technical 'heart' and is located in the Netherlands.

The ESTP is a European technology platform which brings together different space stakeholders and covers all aspects of space technologies from access to space, exploration, satellites and services, and more.

The European Space Agency's ExoMars mission will send an orbiter and lander with rover vehicle to Mars.

Sixth Framework Programme

This is the flagship satellite navigation system being built by the European Union and the European Space Agency.

A satellite in orbit over the equator whose orbital period matches the rotational period of the Earth and, therefore, appears to remain stationary over a fixed position on Earth.

GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) is a European initiative for the implementation of information services dealing with environment and security. GMES will be based on observation data received from Earth Observation satellites and ground based information. These data will be coordinated, analysed and prepared for end-users. It will develop a set of services for European citizens helping to improve their quality of life regarding environment and security. GMES plays a strategic role in supporting major EU policies by its services.

This the satellite navigation system developed by the former Soviet Union and now operated by Russia.

This involves the management, leadership and/or administration of an issue.

Global Positioning System is the satellite navigation system developed and deployed by the US.

Global Positioning System

European Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Supervisory Agency

These are private or public organisations that provide support to enterprises - in particular small and start-up companies.

One of the thematic priorities of the Sixth Framework Programme addressing both the technical aspects and societal challenges of information technologies.

An industry-led forum and European technology platform which brings together together all aspects of satellite communications supporting all forms of space communications and exploitation.

A programme to help enterprises to attract and retain financial investment.

Indian Space Research Organisation

International Space Station

Joint Action Plan

A plan that outlines the wide-ranging strategic co-operation between the EU and India.

Rocket-based systems that deliver payloads (satellites, manned vehicles, etc.) into space. Heavy, medium and small indicate the relative weight of payload that a particular launcher can carry into space.

A transport system that makes optimal, sustainable use of a variety of transport types (rail, sea, road, etc.).

The gap between those citizens with effective access to digital and other information technologies and those without is often more acute outside urban areas and in remote regions.

satellite communications technology

A launcher system developed by the Soviet Union now being adapted for use as a medium-lift launcher for Europe.

European technology platforms are industry-led stakeholder forums that define research and development priorities and action plans in a number of strategically important areas.