_____________________________________________________ 1 istc-stcu conference, ljubljana, 11 march...

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ISTC-STCU Conference, Ljubljana, 11 March 2008“Slovenia and Space”, Charlotte Mathieu

Slovenia and Space

Charlotte MATHIEUResearch Fellow, European Space Policy Institute (ESPI)

Thematic International Conference on Bio-, Nano- and Space Technologies, Ljubljana

11 March 2008

www.espi.or.at

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Agenda

• The European Space Policy Institute (ESPI)

• The EU4+ Study

• Slovenia

– Political and Economic Background

– Space in Slovenia

– Slovenia and ESA

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The European Space Policy Institute (ESPI)

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The mission of the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) is to carry out studies and research to provide decision-makers with an independent view on mid- to long-term issues relevant to the use of space.

Our Mission and Products

To fulfil its objectives, the Institute supports a network of experts and centres of excellence, the European Space Policy Research and Academic Network (ESPRAN), working with ESPI in-house analysts.ESPI Products

- Study reports - Conferences- Flash reports - Support to EISC, etc. - Position papers and memoranda

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The EU4+ Study

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Background

• New opportunities and challenges in Central and Eastern Europe created by the European Union´s enlargements

• Tremendous expertise and strong interest in maintaining and further developing their space activities

• The EU eastward expansion can be beneficial to the European Space Programme?

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The Countries Investigated

Copyright ESA

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Aim of the Study

• Investigating space activities in Central and Eastern Europe

• Identifying strengths and weaknesses of the space sector in selected countries

• Analysing costs, benefits and challenges of a further participation in the European Space Programme from all stakeholders perspective

• Making recommendations on the way forward

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SLOVENIA

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Political and Economic Background

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Among the smaller EU countries

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

Malt

a

Luxe

mbo

urg

Cypru

s

Sloven

ia

Belgium

Nethe

rland

s

Denmar

k

Estonia

Slovak

ia

Latvi

a

Lithu

ania

Irelan

d

Czech

Rep

ublic

Austri

a

Portu

gal

Hunga

ry

Bulgar

ia

Greec

e

Roman

ia

United

King

dom

Italy

Poland

Finlan

d

Germ

any

Sweden

Spain

Franc

e

Area of the EU countries (in km2) Population of the EU countries (in millions inhabitants)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Malt

a

Luxe

mbo

urg

Cypru

s

Estonia

Sloven

ia

Latvi

a

Lithu

ania

Irelan

d

Finlan

d

Slovak

ia

Denmar

k

Bulgar

ia

Austri

a

Sweden

Hunga

ry

Czech

Rep

ublic

Belgium

Portu

gal

Greec

e

Nethe

rland

s

Roman

ia

Poland

Spain

Italy

United

King

dom

Franc

e

Germ

any

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But also among the more dynamic ones

GDP per capita (in euros)GDP growth (in %)

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In addition, it has benefited from: A rather stable political environment

since its independence A strategic location

It has developed a good infrastructure and a well-educated workforce

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European Integration

• Because of its location, Slovenia has been an East-West gateway since well before its independence

• Since the independence, it has demonstrated a strong willingness to get integrated into Europe

• Slovenia wants to play a leading role among the “smaller” EU countries

• It has been quite successful in participating in European projects and deriving benefits from its EU membership

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Space in Slovenia

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Slovenia and Space

• Slovenia has no real tradition of space

• Limited activities

• Participation in space-related FP6 projects– ERA-STAR (Space Technologies and Research for

the Regions and Medium-Sized Countries)– SatNEx (Network of Excellence in Satellite

Communications)

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What Role for Slovenia?

• A role to play in European space activities

Technological nichesScienceSpace-based Applications

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Scientific Institutes

Institute Josef Stefan• Department of Physics• Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry• Department for Communications Systems

Remote sensing The Institute of Anthropological and Spatial Studies of the

Slovenian Academy of Science and Arts Geological Survey of Slovenia Slovenian Forestry Institute Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering, University of Ljubljana Statistical office of the Republic of Slovenia

Medicine • The Hospital Valdoltra in Ankaran (bed-rest studies)

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Industry

Dewesoft (data acquisition products)

C3M (materials)

CIFRA (telecommunications, GIS and GPS products) DFG Consulting (GIS products) GISDATA (GIS, remote sensing and GPS products

and distribution of satellite imagery)

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Rationale for developing space activities

• Further developing existing knowledge and skills

• Tool for political integration

• Developing the economy and the industry

Space in the panel of technologies worth investing in

• Space can contribute in a unique way to Slovenian national objectives

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Approach

• Pragmatic and realistic approach of the development of their space activities

• Slovenia has organised an inter-ministerial group for Galileo (Ljubljana candidate for the GSA seat)

• Focus on niche opportunities for SMEs

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Challenges to the development of space activities

• Lack of dedicated– Budget – Institutions– Critical mass

• Division between research and industry

• Slovenia has today not ratified major UN treaties governing space activities and is not a member of major space-related organisations

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ESA and Slovenia

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Relationship with ESA

• Limited participation in ESA projects

• Selected for participation in the SURE (The ISS: a Unique Research Infrastructure) programme

• Signature of a Cooperation Agreement with ESA in Spring 2008

• Focus on preparing the country for the next step: the status of ECS

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The status of European Cooperating State

• Cooperation Framework Agreement

• Creation of a new status of “European Cooperating State” (ECS) in March 2001

Cooperation Agreement

European Cooperating State

Associate Membership

Full Membership

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• 5-year agreement that enables the ECS to participate in ESA programmes

• Financial contribution: 5 million euros over 5 years

The ECS Agreement

Signature of PECS Agreement

Czech Republic 2003

Hungary 2003

Romania 2006

Poland 2007

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Conclusions

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Space in Slovenia• Slovenia has limited experience in space but has

reasonable goals and a pragmatic approach in the development of its space activities

• Slovenia wants to develop its space activities mainly for economic reasons and is looking for niches for its SMEs

• A closer relation with ESA will be an impetus for the development of Slovenian space activities

• Development of new cooperation opportunities as activities develop

• Slovenia wants to get closer to ESA both for political and economic reasons

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More information and

reports available

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_____________________________________________________ 1 istc-stcu conference, ljubljana, 11 march...

Documents

space slovenia

slovenia slovenia

slovenia slide

space activities

space sector

use of space

space technologies

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