Developments in space policies, programmes and technologies throughout the world and in Europe

Meta-Geopolitics of Outer Space

“…Willing to assert Russia's influence on the international scene, the government has intensified its negotiations with neighbouring states and emerging space nations (Ukraine, India and China) to develop strategic partnerships for the improvement and supply of GLONASS, with the ultimate goal of directing their preference to Russian services instead of the US GPS or the EU's Galileo. 287 In sum, Russia seeks to utilize the growing importance of space to contemporary geopolitics in order to assert its regained influence and prestige. As de Montluc explains, 'power affirmation' through space is financially and ideologically supported by the Government in place, with the ultimate aim to restore internally the state and 'the unity of the Russian Federation' and externally 'the country's power and independence of action'.…”

“…264 (continued) 265 Russia is highly committed to further strengthening and developing collaborative dynamics with its neighbouring countries and emerging space nations, looking to increase its international visibility. 266 Further develop and exploit the Russian segment of the ISS with the United States and the other 19 states. 267 Cooperate on long-term international projects on flights to Mars and Venus.…”

“…284 Regardless of the financial and technical difficulties, Russia is determined to continue to operate and improve the system and is committed to increasing the programme budget. 285 At the same time, Russia is developing a new generation of satellites, GLONASS-K, intended to improve the accuracy and resilience of the system to the level of the US GPS or Galileo. Its deployment is planned for 2013 and the system ought to be fully operational by 2016.…”

“…336 In the meantime, the policy places special emphasis on the maintenance and development of the Baikonur Cosmodrome facility, the control and operation of which were handed over in 2006 from Russia's military space forces to the civilian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos). 337 It is the oldest space launch facility in the world, and has been a core component of Russian and Soviet space programmes since the launch of Sputnik-I.…”

Innovation Dynamics in a Monopsony Structure

“…Public institutions, governments and service providers are the main customers of the European space industry, which operates at the high-end of the space value chain. The main products of the space industry are spacecraft and launchers, including their components and associated services (Pagkratis, 2010).…”