Space

International cooperation

Space is full of endless possibilities. As a major space power, the European Union supports research that takes on global challenges for sustainable development.

International cooperation is paramount for such research. Today, researchers from across the world work together with European colleagues in joint efforts to harvest the potential of space for a safer world.

Space is of the strategic importance for the European Union, as a driver of innovation and growth, and a means for international cooperation, strengthening the EU's role as a global actor.

In the context of international cooperation, a diversified approach is a key element in Europe's space policy, encompassing cooperation with established and emerging space powers in the Americas, Africa, Europe and Asia.

New agreement on cooperation between the European Commission and NASA

The European Commission and NASA have agreed a document entitled "Principles of cooperation of NASA personnel with projects
funded by the EU's Framework Programs in the area of Space Research"

This document identifies a simple working solution, within existing rules, that would allow for NASA personnel to collaborate with European colleagues in space research projects funded under the EU Framework Programme. This would be done via bilateral agreements that NASA would enter into with one of the members of the research consortium. Under this formulation, NASA would sign neither the Grant Agreement, nor the Consortium Agreement, and would review proposed bilateral agreements using its established rules. When NASA participates, it would be under the principle of "no-exchange of funds", i.e. NASA would not charge any expenditure to the project.

In all instances, participation by NASA personnel in projects funded by the EU Framework Programmes would be reviewed by both sides on a case by case basis, following established review procedures.

The document of the "Principles of cooperation of NASA personnel with projects funded by the EU's Framework Programs in the area of Space Research" can be found here pdf - 14 KB [14 KB] .

When Haiti was hit by a catastrophic 7.0 earthquake in January 2010, Europe responded with lifesaving assistance from space. UN soldiers and international rescue workers used GMES situation maps to navigate through the chaos following the Haiti earthquake.

In line with the World Expo 2010 theme 'Better cities, better life', this conference focused on how space research furthers enhanced climate monitoring and better air quality, contributing to the development of better and more sustainable cities. Possibilities for enhancing EU-China space research cooperation in Earth Observation and Space Science in view of the publication in July 2010 of the 4th call for proposals under the EU's Seventh Framework Programme was explored.