Germany’s View on International Involvement in the Vision for Space Exploration Dr. Kai-Uwe Schrogl Head, Corporate Development and External Relations Department German Aerospace Center (DLR) Symposium on Space Exploration and International Cooperation Washington D.C., June 21-22, 2004

Germany and Europe in Space European space activities rely on a strong and robust political mandate. The recent White Paper on Space provides an action plan for implementing the European Space Policy, which is agreed by all member states. Germany is among the prime contributors to the European Space Programs. Germany provides more than 40% to the European share in the ISS and 25% to the Space Science Program.

German-US Cooperation DLR has a 40 year history of successful cooperation with the US. Success stories include projects such as: –Spacelab: Was build in Germany –Jupiter Probe Galileo –Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) –7 German Astronauts flew on the Space Shuttle International cooperation is important for DLR and the US is a key partner in the world.

Germany in Space Exploration Germany has a proud history in planetary research and many achievements have been reached in cooperation with the US, such as: –Mars Pathfinder Mission –Mars Exploration Rover Mission –Cassini-Huygens mission DLR’s High-Resolution Stereo Camera is currently transmitting pictures from the Martian surface in an unprecedented resolution and clarity.

German Priorities for Space Activities The White Paper on Space of the EU clearly prioritizes application oriented programs such as Galileo and GMES. The completion and utilization of the ISS is the expressed priority for the German and the European Manned Space Program. The German interest in space exploration is focused on robotic exploration missions, reflected in existing National and European programs. Currently, manned exploration beyond the ISS is not foreseen within the German space program. Germany will not participate in the planned ESA “Aurora”-Program.

Limits to International Cooperation European budgetary constraints: no more than about 1 Billion EUR ($1,2 Billion) per year for exploration (robotic and manned) including existing manned spaceflight programs (ISS, ATV). Completion and exploitation of ISS will consume most of the available resources. With NASA´s planned investments (larger than $150 Billion from ) Europe could be able to contribute much less than 10% in the best case. This would be similar to the current ISS cooperation model.

Chances for International Cooperation The contradiction between the announcements for a strong national U.S. program and the promotion of international cooperation fosters reservations. A participation and cooperation within the US Exploration Vision would bind financial resources, which might be needed for other programs. Germany might take a rather cautious position with respect to participation at a substantial level. Opportunities for industry and research institutes to become subcontractors of NASA or US companies would be welcomed.

Next Steps International partner in ISS soon need clarity on the key issues of ISS. It is still unclear how the U.S. will meet all the obligations for ISS (IGA and NASA/ESA-MoU) under the new vision. The planned ISS exploitation should not be impacted by the new US Space Policy. Details of the implementation of the US exploration initiative are needed to further consider interest in cooperation. Europe will carefully examine the US Space Exploration Vision and the plans for its implementation before any decision.