Plan: the European Space Agency Should ______

***ESA CP

1NC

Plan: The European Space Agency should ______.

Counterplan solves the case

Brauer and Monte 05 (Gerard and Luca del, Gerard is the head of the ESA, “European Space Research and Developmentfor the Security and Military Sectors” pdf)

The above described scenario suggests that the potential contribution of ESA in the framework of a European network of technical agencies in support of a European security/defence system for the time framework 2013-2015, could be the step wise development of a balanced mix of top-down and bottom-up initiatives complementing each other. On the one hand there is a recognized need for the collaboration and eventually for the convergence of these two approaches in the short-medium time, on the other hand there is the responsibility of national Governments for the security of their citizens. Nationally owned assets are going to be the main tools for security and defence, but these assets need to be linked by using commonly agreed standards and by a commonly owned basic infrastructures. Some elements of the future architecture are being discussed by the European Member States interested in space. The definition of future situation awareness capabilities must be a short term goal. The development of multi/hyper-spectral, radar, optical, infrared sensors and platforms will be necessary to support the security user communities.. Today, the next generation of these systems is far from being mature. Their development should be coordinated from the very beginning. ESA, the organisation charged with developing the major European space programmes, possesses the overall set of capabilities in the definition and conduct of space infrastructure programmes and in the definition of technology preparation and accompaniment programmes. It has an intimate knowledge of the industrial fabric and the capabilities available in Europe. Through its programmes, ESA has access to all categories of space applications and possesses ground facilities and space systems, which could be made available in support of specific applications with defence relevance (launchers, observation and telecommunications satellites, test and operations facilities, etc.). The Agency is the primary source of institutional contracts in a number of applications areas and in the R&D field. Being an intergovernmental agency with a programme remit, ESA has demonstrated its ability to establish cooperative ventures at European level. Under its leadership the space sector has indeed come to be seen as a pioneer and an acknowledged model for the process of European integration. The optional programme, a tried and tested legal form, provides a basis for a flexible model of cooperation between States, one which accommodates the participants’ specific objectives and constraints while at the same time allowing resources to be pooled and common rules to be applied. In practice, the Agency’s contribution to the emergence of a space component for the European defence policy and the ensuing activities may take many forms. These may be classified in accordance with the level of Agency involvement and the extent to which the activity concerned is defence-specific. A first group of activities are those concerned with optimising synergies in technologies and infrastructures. ESA has started consultations with the defence entities on technological priorities and critical technologies of interest to both communities with a view to coordinating preparatory work and upstream research activity. The requirements emerging in this way from the defence entities should be incorporated in the European space technologies master plan. The consultation process could be extended to test and operations facilities to ensure more effective investment planning on all sides and avoid unwarranted duplication. Another possibility to be considered is the development by the Agency of dedicated dual use programmes or the availability of Agency’s infrastructures for defence uses (one example might be a demonstration of data relay between an Agency satellite and a military aircraft). The Agency might, lastly, be assigned responsibility for developing prototypes, demonstrators or space borne infrastructure components to serve defence requirements.

Solvency – Generic

Counterplan solves the case – has an effective framework for successful space policy

Brauer and Monte 05 (Gerard and Luca del, Gerard is the head of the ESA, “European Space Research and Developmentfor the Security and Military Sectors” pdf)

EU more efficient than US government

PENNINGS ’02 (Paul, Associate Professor Department of Political Science at the Vu University of Amsterdam “The Dimensionality of the EU Policy Space

The European Elections of 1999” European Union Politics

In any full-grown democracy, parties must confront voters with real choices that matter. The European Union is often said to be devoid of these choices owing to minor policy differences between parties. The manifestos issued at European Parliament elections by party groups are often perceived as being bland and indistinguishable from each other. How correct is this perception? In this article, the diversity of policy positions within and between the main European party groups is analyzed by means of the European election manifestos of 1999. The content analysis of these manifestos shows that there are significant differences both within and between the party groups. These differences indicate that these groups are (potentially) able to present meaningful choices to voters.

EU solves-multiple reasons

3AF Writers Group ‘07( October 22 “The Militarization and Weaponization of Space: towards a European Space Deterrent”3AF Strategy and International AffairsCommission –Writers'Group

In effect, the Chinese test has shown the incapacity of Europe to detect, characterize and appreciate the potential menace which it constitutes. Only an intergovernmental collaboration within Europe appears appropriate for preparing to deal with such a situation. It would avoid massive investment in fully autonomous resources. The first example we have is the tripartite agreement between France, Germany and Italy for the exchange of high resolution images from the reconnaissance satellites, respectively, Pléiades, SARLupe and Cosmo Skymed, when these three systems are operational. However, France must continue with what it has already embarked on, on the one hand the operational programmes Helios, Essaim and Syracuse and, on the other hand, the technological demonstration programmes SPIRALE and ELISA, to ensure the continuation of the former and, for the latter, to arrive at operational capacities fit to put at the disposal of the armed forces. Europe does not have to imitate the United States. It is not exposed to the same risks and has no intention of being a rival as a dominating world power. On the economic level, Europe doubts it has the financial resources to be able to catch up with the United States in terms of the quantity of operational devices, even though it is the second economic power in the world. But having systems which are autonomous and complementary to those of its partners appears to be more and more of a priority, in the light of the recent advances observed in other countries. China has just reminded us of this. Germany has the FGANTIRA radar and the United Kingdom the PIMS optical instruments. They provide a capacity for detection, orbitography, the management of a catalogue of orbiting objects and their identification. However, these systems, with Graves, are not interoperable and don’t satisfy the global need for detection, warning and response which future threats will require

CP solves the aff—the EU has a wide variety of space technology that allows them to do the plan

EU 09-[“The EU and Space; Reaping the Benefits of Space Exploration and Technology” <

Forty years ago, the world watched in awe as the first humans stepped foot on the moon. Today, nations routinely rely on space-based technology in areas including communications, navigation, and earth observation. No longer the sole domain of Cold War superpowers, spaceactivities have become strategic and economic priorities not only for the U.S. and Russia, but also for the European Union, Japan, and the emerging economies of China and India. From satellite communications to weather forecasting, from earth observation satellites monitoring climate change to global positioning satellites that help planes navigate safely, the technological offshoots of space activities offer important benefits to 21 st century citizens. Space exploration programs help to develop human understanding of both the universe and our own planet; they help our search for answers to fundamental questions: “Where did life come from? Is human life possible in extraterrestrial environments?” and “How can we harness the natural resources of Mars or other bodies? Can knowledge of and solutions for earthly challenges be found in space?” However, by their very nature, space ventures are often massive, costly, and complex; they require long-term planning, substantial investment, and strategic vision. Very few nations can accomplish this alone. Even the two original space powers— the U.S. and Russia—are engaged in international cooperation to further their space goals. European nations long ago joined forces to reap the full benefits of space for their citizens. The European Union’s collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) provides the scale and expertise necessary to drive European space applications, exploration, science, and technology, and together the EU and ESA have launched a forward-looking vision for European Space Policy. The European Space Policy promotes two priority EU space program: Galileo and GMES. Galileo, the EU’s satellite navigation system, and GMES, the EU’s earth observation system, represent significant innovations in their respective domains. Europe has its own independent access to space through ESA’s Kourou launch site on the northeast coast of South America, and has also developed arrangements with the U.S. and Russia for human spaceflight—European astronauts regularly fly to the International Space Station (ISS) from launch sites in both countries. Right now, multinational crews on the ISS are collaborating on highly complex work in a cont ain e d env i ronm ent mi l e s above the Earth, despite differences of nationality, culture, ethnicity, and language. Europe is a major partner in the ISS; it has constructed an impressive state-of-theart laboratory module, developed and launched the first in a series of unmanned supply shuttles, and provided a continuous supply of astronauts. Among its many objectives, the ISS serves as a laboratory and platform for the development of technology to further human space exploration…to the Moon, to Mars, and beyond.

The EU has the research, resources and technology to increase space exploration

EU 09-[“The EU and Space; Reaping the Benefits of Space Exploration and Technology” <

For nearly half a century, Europe has been actively involved in developing space technology through national and European programs. The European Space Agency (ESA), an intergovernmental agency, was launched in 1975 to promote European cooperation in space. In2003, the European Commission—the EU’s executive arm—and ESA formally joined forces, drawing on each other’s complementary strengths to further advance European space applications, exploration, research, and technology in the 21 st century. The European Commission drives the exploitation of space for the benefit of its citizens; ensures the continuity of relevant operational services; develops appropriate regulatory frameworks; and coordinates and promotes a single European position in international forums. ESA and its 18 member countries—including 16 of the 27 EU Member States—are responsible for the conception and implementation of space programs, space-related scientific research, and the procurement of resources needed for space activities, particularly access to space and technology. The European Space Policy, drafted jointly by the European Commission and ESA, outlines a unified European vision for the space sector. The policy strives to develop and exploit space applications that serve the needs of Europe; address space-related security and defense issues; apply space technology to improved understanding of climate change; foster a strong and competitive space industry; ensure independent, cost-effective access to space; and promote a European initiative in space exploration. Through the European Space Policy, Europe has increased its coordination with international partners. For example, the European Commission and ESA jointly represent Europe in cooperation with other strategic partners and closely coordinate European participation in intergovernmental forums such as the Group on Earth Observations (GEO).

Space is a top priority for the EU

EUROPA ‘11( April 4“A new space policy for Europe: Independence, competitiveness and citizens quality of life” Europe.edu

Improving the safety and daily lives of European citizens thanks to radio navigation, guiding tractors by satellite for high-yield crops, optimizing response to humanitarian crisis… This is not science fiction but just a few examples of innovations related to space technologies developed today. This crucial role of space is reflected in the European Commission communication presented today as a first step of an integrated Space Policy to be developed with the new legal basis provided by the Lisbon Treaty. The new Communication aims at reinforcing Europe’s space infrastructure and calls for increasing support for research to increase European technological non-dependence, foster cross-fertilisation between the space sector and other industry sectors, and boost innovation as a driver of European competitiveness. Vice-President Antonio Tajani, responsible for Industry and Entrepreneurship, said: “Space is strategic for Europe's independence, job creation and competitiveness. Space activities create high-skilled jobs, innovation, new commercial opportunities, and improve citizens’ well-being and security. This is why we need to reinforce European space policy to best exploit its social and economic opportunities for industry and SMEs. In order to achieve our goals, Europe needs to keep an independent access to space.” Faced with important economic, societal and strategic challenges, today’s communication sets out priorities for the future EU space policy: Pursue the achievement of the European navigation satellite programmes Galileo and EGNOS. For example, a service that was recently introduced under EGNOS enables precision approaches and renders air navigation safer (IP/11/247). Implement with Member States the European Earth Monitoring Programme (GMES) which is designed for land, ocean, atmosphere, air quality and climate change monitoring, as well as emergency response and security, with the objective to become fully operational from 2014; Protect space infrastructures against space debris, solar radiation and asteroids by setting-up a European Space Situation Awareness (SSA) system; Identify and support actions at EU level in the field of Space exploration. The Union could notably explore options to work with the ISS ensuring that all Member States participate in it; Pursue a Space Industrial policy developed in close collaboration with the European Space Agency and Member States; Support research and development to increase European technological non dependence and ensure that innovation in this field will be of benefit to non-space sectors and citizens. Communication satellites play a key role in this context; Strengthen the partnerships with EU Member States and the European Space Agency (ESA) and implement improved management schemes.