European Scientific Satellites Rosetta Spacecraft, courtesy ESA. Europe embraces Space Europe has played a central role in the development of scientific satellite missions going back many years. As a continent, Europe boasts an impressive array of expertise and capabilities that have helped to place it at the forefront of space exploration and the European Space Agency and its associates and partners are currently in the process of attempting to answer the universe's biggest questions. Satellite Evolution looks more closely at current European scientific satellite missions. "There are three significant reasons to engage in exploration. First, space exploration can push forward the frontiers of scientific research and human knowledge. It can plant the seeds of tomorrow's technologies. Indeed, setting an ambitious agenda in exploration can be a strong booster for innovation in the European economy. And innovation is the only chance we have of building a stronger, globally competitive and more robust knowledge economy in the future. "Second, for the EU, space exploration could also be a catalyst for further European integration since it will offer all our Member States the possibility to participate on equal terms in such an inspiring human endeavour. "Third, a bold human space exploration endeavour is something that no single country or nation should do on its own. International cooperation will thus become a central element to space exploration; and the International Space Station is probably the best symbol of that. "Any future exploration endeavour must, and will be done through an international cooperation framework for the benefit of all humankind. In this context Europe has a unique opportunity to assume a prominent role as a consensus broker in a global exploration initiative." explained Günter Verheugen, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Enterprise and Industry. The recognition that space has a very large part to play in the 16 w ww.satellite-evolution.com | November/December 2009 europe.pmd 16 04/12/2009, 13:02