25/01/2005

The possibilities of Greek research organisations to participate in the “Space Science” programme of the European Space Agency (ESA) were presented in a conference held by the Greek General Secretariat of Research and Technology (GSRT) on 10 January 2005 in Athens. The conference was attended by representatives of the academic community, as well as members of research centres and private and public institutions involved in research and technology.

After Greece signed the ESA Establishment Convention, in July 2004, and upon ratification of the Convention by the Greek Parliament, the country will be able to participate in the Agency’s “Space Science” programme, which has three major directions: Astrophysics, Solar System Exploration and Basic Physics. This programme is the Agency’s basic mandatory programme, which means that each Member State will participate in the programme’s activities to a degree proportional to its GDP. The science missions are selected in conjunction with the European science community, through a Consulting Committee.

The “Space Sciences” programme aims at improving the European space potential and the relevant applications under development, by aligning the space policies of the ESA Member States. In order to implement the various missions and subprojects, technical and scientific personnel from different scientific fields must collaborate; for this reason, it is expected that there will be many opportunities for Greek organisations to participate.

In his speech, the General Secretary of Research and Technology, Professor Ioannis Tsoukalas, emphasised that Greece, with its valuable and experienced scientific resources, can contribute effectively in ESA’s aims and programmes. Particularly with regard to the Space Sciences, Prof. Tsoukalas mentioned that it constitutes a strategic advantage for the Agency, which supports the science community, ensures technological independence and protects the European cultural identity.

The key speaker of the conference was Professor David Southwood, Director of the ESA Space Programme. Prof. Southwood talked about the ESA “Cosmic Vision 2015-2025”, which illustrates Europe’s space efforts and marks the initiatives planned for the coming decade. During the conference, the participants also discussed the results of the workshop held by the ESA in Paris, on 15 and 16 September 2004, under the name “Cosmic Vision 2015-2025”, during which European scientists examined the important issues of space exploration for the next decade. Prof. Southwood also spoke about the space missions which are under way or are being planned for the next few years.

Next, Prof. Southwood explained to the Greek organisations the selection procedures implemented by the Agency when planning space missions for the Space Sciences. Later, Mr Giacomo Cavallo, Head of the Co-ordination and Planning Bureau of the ESA’s Science Directorate, analysed the individual stages of the science mission evaluation and selection procedure. Mr Cavallo also talked about the Electronic Mail Invitation to Tender System (EMITS) used by the ESA.

The event concluded with a discussion, during which Prof. Southwood and the other ESA members present at the meeting answered questions by the Greek scientists and researchers about general issues, as well as more specific scientific problems concerning the Space Sciences.

For more information or any questions about the possibility of Greek organisations participating in the ESA programmes, any interested persons / organisations can contact GSRT, International Organisation Department (Mr. I. Papadakis, tel.: 210 7458113, jep@gsrt.gr; Mr. K. Nikitopoulos, tel.: 210 7458115, knikit@gsrt.gr).

Source: GSRT, ESA