European cooperation in space affairs

Eclipse of the sun

Intergovernmental cooperation through the European Space Agency (ESA) has enabled Europe to become increasingly independent from other space nations in terms of space science and technologies, operational systems used to ensure access to space (Ariane), satellite meteorology and satellite communications. Switzerland's involvement as a full-fledged member in ESA programmes and core activities enables the country to develop its own technological capacities, allowing it to make use of scientific discoveries and build a competitive, European-wide industry.

Established under the terms of an international agreement, Swiss involvement in ESA core activities and programmes is the most important means of implementing Swiss space policies.

National income is used to determine how much each member state contributes to core activities and participating countries negotiate with one another to determine how much each will pay for individual programmes. Switzerland is involved in the following ESA programmes:

• Taking part in European scientific Earth observation missions, developing Swiss scientific instruments chosen by the ESA for use on these missions, conducting scientific experiments under microgravity conditions and performing operational maintenance of corresponding space facilities;
• Preparation and development of operational space systems, in partnership with users, particularly in the fields of satellite navigation and positioning (e.g. Galileo), environment and security (e.g. Global Monitoring for Environment and Security GMES), meteorology (e.g. Meteosat) and disaster relief;
• Development and testing of aerospace technologies so that innovations may benefit Swiss companies, thereby allowing them to compete on public- and private-sector markets (mainly in the field of telecommunications);
• Access to space through the development of expendable launch vehicles (ELVs), technological guidelines on the use of available European ELVs, public subsidies to fund the fixed costs associated with maintaining access to space.