_____________________________________________________ 1 ISTC-STCU Conference, Ljubljana, 11 March 2008 Slovenia and Space, Charlotte Mathieu Slovenia and Space Charlotte MATHIEU Research Fellow, European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) Thematic International Conference on Bio-, Nano- and Space Technologies, Ljubljana 11 March 2008

_____________________________________________________ 2 ISTC-STCU Conference, Ljubljana, 11 March 2008 Slovenia and Space, Charlotte Mathieu Agenda The European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) The EU4+ Study Slovenia –Political and Economic Background –Space in Slovenia –Slovenia and ESA

_____________________________________________________ 3 ISTC-STCU Conference, Ljubljana, 11 March 2008 Slovenia and Space, Charlotte Mathieu The European Space Policy Institute (ESPI)

_____________________________________________________ 4 ISTC-STCU Conference, Ljubljana, 11 March 2008 Slovenia and Space, Charlotte Mathieu The mission of the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) is to carry out studies and research to provide decision-makers with an independent view on mid- to long-term issues relevant to the use of space. Our Mission and Products To fulfil its objectives, the Institute supports a network of experts and centres of excellence, the European Space Policy Research and Academic Network (ESPRAN), working with ESPI in-house analysts. ESPI Products - Study reports - Conferences - Flash reports- Support to EISC, etc. - Position papers and memoranda

_____________________________________________________ 5 ISTC-STCU Conference, Ljubljana, 11 March 2008 Slovenia and Space, Charlotte Mathieu The EU4+ Study

_____________________________________________________ 6 ISTC-STCU Conference, Ljubljana, 11 March 2008 Slovenia and Space, Charlotte Mathieu Background New opportunities and challenges in Central and Eastern Europe created by the European Union´s enlargements Tremendous expertise and strong interest in maintaining and further developing their space activities The EU eastward expansion can be beneficial to the European Space Programme?

_____________________________________________________ 7 ISTC-STCU Conference, Ljubljana, 11 March 2008 Slovenia and Space, Charlotte Mathieu The Countries Investigated Copyright ESA

_____________________________________________________ 8 ISTC-STCU Conference, Ljubljana, 11 March 2008 Slovenia and Space, Charlotte Mathieu Aim of the Study Investigating space activities in Central and Eastern Europe Identifying strengths and weaknesses of the space sector in selected countries Analysing costs, benefits and challenges of a further participation in the European Space Programme from all stakeholders perspective Making recommendations on the way forward

_____________________________________________________ 9 ISTC-STCU Conference, Ljubljana, 11 March 2008 Slovenia and Space, Charlotte Mathieu SLOVENIA

_____________________________________________________ 10 ISTC-STCU Conference, Ljubljana, 11 March 2008 Slovenia and Space, Charlotte Mathieu Political and Economic Background

_____________________________________________________ 11 ISTC-STCU Conference, Ljubljana, 11 March 2008 Slovenia and Space, Charlotte Mathieu Among the smaller EU countries Area of the EU countries (in km 2 ) Population of the EU countries (in millions inhabitants)

_____________________________________________________ 12 ISTC-STCU Conference, Ljubljana, 11 March 2008 Slovenia and Space, Charlotte Mathieu But also among the more dynamic ones GDP per capita (in euros) GDP growth (in %)

_____________________________________________________ 13 ISTC-STCU Conference, Ljubljana, 11 March 2008 Slovenia and Space, Charlotte Mathieu In addition, it has benefited from: A rather stable political environment since its independence A strategic location It has developed a good infrastructure and a well-educated workforce

_____________________________________________________ 14 ISTC-STCU Conference, Ljubljana, 11 March 2008 Slovenia and Space, Charlotte Mathieu European Integration Because of its location, Slovenia has been an East-West gateway since well before its independence Since the independence, it has demonstrated a strong willingness to get integrated into Europe Slovenia wants to play a leading role among the smaller EU countries It has been quite successful in participating in European projects and deriving benefits from its EU membership

_____________________________________________________ 15 ISTC-STCU Conference, Ljubljana, 11 March 2008 Slovenia and Space, Charlotte Mathieu Space in Slovenia

_____________________________________________________ 16 ISTC-STCU Conference, Ljubljana, 11 March 2008 Slovenia and Space, Charlotte Mathieu Slovenia and Space Slovenia has no real tradition of space Limited activities Participation in space-related FP6 projects –ERA-STAR (Space Technologies and Research for the Regions and Medium-Sized Countries) –SatNEx (Network of Excellence in Satellite Communications)

_____________________________________________________ 17 ISTC-STCU Conference, Ljubljana, 11 March 2008 Slovenia and Space, Charlotte Mathieu What Role for Slovenia? A role to play in European space activities Technological niches Science Space-based Applications

_____________________________________________________ 18 ISTC-STCU Conference, Ljubljana, 11 March 2008 Slovenia and Space, Charlotte Mathieu Scientific Institutes Institute Josef Stefan Department of Physics Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Department for Communications Systems Remote sensing The Institute of Anthropological and Spatial Studies of the Slovenian Academy of Science and Arts Geological Survey of Slovenia Slovenian Forestry Institute Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering, University of Ljubljana Statistical office of the Republic of Slovenia Medicine The Hospital Valdoltra in Ankaran (bed-rest studies)

_____________________________________________________ 19 ISTC-STCU Conference, Ljubljana, 11 March 2008 Slovenia and Space, Charlotte Mathieu Industry Dewesoft (data acquisition products) C3M (materials) CIFRA (telecommunications, GIS and GPS products) DFG Consulting (GIS products) GISDATA (GIS, remote sensing and GPS products and distribution of satellite imagery)

_____________________________________________________ 20 ISTC-STCU Conference, Ljubljana, 11 March 2008 Slovenia and Space, Charlotte Mathieu Rationale for developing space activities Further developing existing knowledge and skills Tool for political integration Developing the economy and the industry Space in the panel of technologies worth investing in Space can contribute in a unique way to Slovenian national objectives

_____________________________________________________ 21 ISTC-STCU Conference, Ljubljana, 11 March 2008 Slovenia and Space, Charlotte Mathieu Approach Pragmatic and realistic approach of the development of their space activities Slovenia has organised an inter-ministerial group for Galileo (Ljubljana candidate for the GSA seat) Focus on niche opportunities for SMEs

_____________________________________________________ 22 ISTC-STCU Conference, Ljubljana, 11 March 2008 Slovenia and Space, Charlotte Mathieu Challenges to the development of space activities Lack of dedicated –Budget –Institutions –Critical mass Division between research and industry Slovenia has today not ratified major UN treaties governing space activities and is not a member of major space-related organisations

_____________________________________________________ 23 ISTC-STCU Conference, Ljubljana, 11 March 2008 Slovenia and Space, Charlotte Mathieu ESA and Slovenia

_____________________________________________________ 24 ISTC-STCU Conference, Ljubljana, 11 March 2008 Slovenia and Space, Charlotte Mathieu Relationship with ESA Limited participation in ESA projects Selected for participation in the SURE (The ISS: a Unique Research Infrastructure) programme Signature of a Cooperation Agreement with ESA in Spring 2008 Focus on preparing the country for the next step: the status of ECS

_____________________________________________________ 25 ISTC-STCU Conference, Ljubljana, 11 March 2008 Slovenia and Space, Charlotte Mathieu The status of European Cooperating State Cooperation Framework Agreement Creation of a new status of European Cooperating State (ECS) in March 2001 Cooperation Agreement European Cooperating State Associate Membership Full Membership

_____________________________________________________ 26 ISTC-STCU Conference, Ljubljana, 11 March 2008 Slovenia and Space, Charlotte Mathieu 5-year agreement that enables the ECS to participate in ESA programmes Financial contribution: 5 million euros over 5 years The ECS Agreement Signature of PECS Agreement Czech Republic2003 Hungary2003 Romania2006 Poland2007

_____________________________________________________ 27 ISTC-STCU Conference, Ljubljana, 11 March 2008 Slovenia and Space, Charlotte Mathieu Conclusions

_____________________________________________________ 28 ISTC-STCU Conference, Ljubljana, 11 March 2008 Slovenia and Space, Charlotte Mathieu Space in Slovenia Slovenia has limited experience in space but has reasonable goals and a pragmatic approach in the development of its space activities Slovenia wants to develop its space activities mainly for economic reasons and is looking for niches for its SMEs A closer relation with ESA will be an impetus for the development of Slovenian space activities Development of new cooperation opportunities as activities develop Slovenia wants to get closer to ESA both for political and economic reasons

_____________________________________________________ 29 ISTC-STCU Conference, Ljubljana, 11 March 2008 Slovenia and Space, Charlotte Mathieu More information and reports available