There is the matter of our foreign and common security policy. Europe’s role in
promoting peace and stability depends on its ability to take action together to
use one common voice on the international stage. After decades of discussions,
we have managed to obtain permanent structured cooperation in defense policy.
This is a huge step forward but it took us a long time to achieve it. But let’s be
honest: Europe is still in the early stages of a common foreign policy. However,
this is what we will need for our survival, because the nature of conflicts has
completely changed since the end of the Cold War. Numerous global conflicts
are taking place close to Europe. And the US simply will not protect us. Europe
must then take fate into its own hands. This is our work for the future.
40
For over 60 years, the NATO military umbrella, led by the US, has helped protect Europe and avoid international conflicts. For much of the public, the memory
of the twentieth century’s bloody conflicts has faded. International universities
and research centres have shaped new generations. Progressive and pacifist ideals
among European leaders are admirable, but often tend not to acknowledge the
reality of their geopolitical situation.
Space exploration is perfect proof of this. Europe space policy is dualistic in
nature, split between civil and defence activities. This prevents a convergence of
programs and funding. ESA cannot by statute develop military space systems. But
it has financed, together with the European Commission, the Galileo project,
which as we discussed will counter the American GPS, and which will also be
extensively used by the armed forces. ESA and EU officials stress that Galileo has
been designed for civilian use
41
only and that it will be owned by an independent
governmental agency. This reluctance to explicitly state the strategic nature of
space activities is a consequence of a longstanding tradition, which considers
defence and security policies not as potential drivers for innovation, but as regressive ones that are best left delegated to external entities, i.e. the US.
France is the exception. In fact, the French space agency CNES spends over $1
billion yearly on national programs. CNES has been under the control of both the
Ministry of Research and Defence, and very recently, it was placed under the
Ministry of Economic Development. As such, it is able to build military systems.
Even the European Commission itself
42
warns in official reports that space
exploration in Europe is at risk of decline, a position shared by many top industry
executives.
43
It is likely that if the European Union does not transform its ideals
40
Speech by Federal Chancellor Dr Angela Merkel at the ceremony awarding the International
Charlemagne Prize to French President Emmanuel Macron in Aachen, May 10, 2018.
41
Europe’s Galileo GPS Plan Limps to Crossroads. New York Times, February 6, 2013.
42
European Parliament Research Service Report published in January 2017. http://www.
europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/IDAN/2017/595917/EPRS_IDA(2017)595917_EN.pdf.
43
Monde, Le. 2018. «L’Europe et le défi des vols habites ; Stéphane Israël, Président
onde.fr/economie/article/2018/09/10/spatial-l-europe-face-au-defi-des-volshabites_5353034_3234.html?xtmc=israel&xtcr=7.
Technopolitics of Space Between History and Realpolitik 75
promoting peace and stability depends on its ability to take action together to
use one common voice on the international stage. After decades of discussions,
we have managed to obtain permanent structured cooperation in defense policy.
This is a huge step forward but it took us a long time to achieve it. But let’s be
honest: Europe is still in the early stages of a common foreign policy. However,
this is what we will need for our survival, because the nature of conflicts has
completely changed since the end of the Cold War. Numerous global conflicts
are taking place close to Europe. And the US simply will not protect us. Europe
must then take fate into its own hands. This is our work for the future.
40
For over 60 years, the NATO military umbrella, led by the US, has helped protect Europe and avoid international conflicts. For much of the public, the memory
of the twentieth century’s bloody conflicts has faded. International universities
and research centres have shaped new generations. Progressive and pacifist ideals
among European leaders are admirable, but often tend not to acknowledge the
reality of their geopolitical situation.
Space exploration is perfect proof of this. Europe space policy is dualistic in
nature, split between civil and defence activities. This prevents a convergence of
programs and funding. ESA cannot by statute develop military space systems. But
it has financed, together with the European Commission, the Galileo project,
which as we discussed will counter the American GPS, and which will also be
extensively used by the armed forces. ESA and EU officials stress that Galileo has
been designed for civilian use
41
only and that it will be owned by an independent
governmental agency. This reluctance to explicitly state the strategic nature of
space activities is a consequence of a longstanding tradition, which considers
defence and security policies not as potential drivers for innovation, but as regressive ones that are best left delegated to external entities, i.e. the US.
France is the exception. In fact, the French space agency CNES spends over $1
billion yearly on national programs. CNES has been under the control of both the
Ministry of Research and Defence, and very recently, it was placed under the
Ministry of Economic Development. As such, it is able to build military systems.
Even the European Commission itself
42
warns in official reports that space
exploration in Europe is at risk of decline, a position shared by many top industry
executives.
43
It is likely that if the European Union does not transform its ideals
40
Speech by Federal Chancellor Dr Angela Merkel at the ceremony awarding the International
Charlemagne Prize to French President Emmanuel Macron in Aachen, May 10, 2018.
41
Europe’s Galileo GPS Plan Limps to Crossroads. New York Times, February 6, 2013.
42
European Parliament Research Service Report published in January 2017. http://www.
europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/IDAN/2017/595917/EPRS_IDA(2017)595917_EN.pdf.
43
Monde, Le. 2018. «L’Europe et le défi des vols habites ; Stéphane Israël, Président
onde.fr/economie/article/2018/09/10/spatial-l-europe-face-au-defi-des-volshabites_5353034_3234.html?xtmc=israel&xtcr=7.
Technopolitics of Space Between History and Realpolitik 75