Abstract
European space policy has been dealt by European Space Agency (ESA) rather than EU framework. However, since the latter half of 1990s, the European Union became more involved in the making of space policy for Europe. This article examines the importance of current approximation of institutional relationship between ESA and EU. In doing so, this paper introduces the “policy logic” approach as the analytical framework and discusses its application to the analysis of European space policy, and then focuses on the historical accumulation of institutional differences of the two organizations and the difficulties of creating new system of cooperation through the formulation process of the “European Strategy for Space (ESS)” and Galileo project.
In the first phase of institutional development, European space development was separated from EEC/Euratom framework for three reasons: experience of founding fathers in the establishment of intergovernmental organization, CERN; strategic importance of space activities; and the membership of the most advanced country in Europe, Britain. The institutional characteristics of ESA can be described in two aspects the optional participation and the principle of juste retour. These two characteristics give wider freedom for member states in participating and contributing to the space programs. In other words, member states can choose programs according to their policy logics.
However, since 1988, European Commission became interested in taking some responsibilities in European space policy because of its involvement in R & D activities. In the early 1990s, European Commission made many attempts to increase its influence on space programs but these efforts were not effective because it challenged the “logic of technology” on which ESA has concentrated. Then the Commission aimed to promote the “logic of commerce” through fostering applications and space market.
This change initiated the new development of institutional affiliation of ESA and EU. The paramount moment was to adopt the ESS document in 2000. This document focuses on the logics of technology, commerce and military of which both organizations could contribute jointly. The Galileo program which associated the ESS was also decided in 2000 ESA and EU Councils, however, the program contains variety of difficult questions. Firstly it is the relationship with the US, which aims to monopolize the GPS system; secondly, the question of security issues where many member states were quite sensitive in dealing with; thirdly, the question of finance; and finally, the institutional difference between ESA and EU.
Through the analysis of historical development of European space policy and the ESS/Galileo issues, this paper concludes that the approximation of institutional relationship between ESA and EU would not result the integration of the two organizations in near future. Member states would prefer to maintain the ESA institutional arrangement in order to secure the implementation of their policy logics, and even if space policy is included in the EU policy area, the policy making system will remain as it is in ESA.
