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Financial crisis could damage space program
Source: Agencies |
January 15, 2009, Thursday
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THE credit squeeze could cause the collapse of crucial suppliers to the European Space Agency and hurt its satellite launch business, the organization's director said yesterday.
Jean-Jacques Dordain insisted that none of the agency's upcoming projects - including a robotic rover on Mars, the maiden voyage of a new European rocket launcher and new cooperation with the international space station - were currently "at risk" because of the financial crisis.
But he told reporters that several small companies that supply ESA's space program were suffering during the economic crisis.
"We spent 20 years developing technologies," he said. "If a company disappears it is a catastrophe."
He did not name any of the companies or the equipment they provide. He said that ESA could not bail them out, but that the agency was looking for ways to help.
The agency also makes money from launching telecommunications and other satellites for the private sector. He said that the ESA is studying "the possible effects on commercial programs," amid fears such satellites could be cut back by cash-strapped companies.
He insisted that the agency's overall 3.5-billion euro (US$4.6 billion) budget for this year remained stable despite economic strain on the governments of its 18 member states.
Dordain said ESA remains committed to a mission to put a robotic rover on Mars.
European ministers pledged 10 billion euros in November for an ambitious list of 30 space missions, including the Enhanced ExoMars mission now due to blast off in 2016, three years behind schedule. The United States and Russia also hope to take part in the mission.
The top Russian spacecraft-making company warned in October that its ability to build spaceships for the international space station could be at risk because of delays on government loans linked to the financial crisis. But RKK Energiya said yesterday that the company has since received all loans from the state and has no financing concerns.
Jean-Jacques Dordain insisted that none of the agency's upcoming projects - including a robotic rover on Mars, the maiden voyage of a new European rocket launcher and new cooperation with the international space station - were currently "at risk" because of the financial crisis.
But he told reporters that several small companies that supply ESA's space program were suffering during the economic crisis.
"We spent 20 years developing technologies," he said. "If a company disappears it is a catastrophe."
He did not name any of the companies or the equipment they provide. He said that ESA could not bail them out, but that the agency was looking for ways to help.
The agency also makes money from launching telecommunications and other satellites for the private sector. He said that the ESA is studying "the possible effects on commercial programs," amid fears such satellites could be cut back by cash-strapped companies.
He insisted that the agency's overall 3.5-billion euro (US$4.6 billion) budget for this year remained stable despite economic strain on the governments of its 18 member states.
Dordain said ESA remains committed to a mission to put a robotic rover on Mars.
European ministers pledged 10 billion euros in November for an ambitious list of 30 space missions, including the Enhanced ExoMars mission now due to blast off in 2016, three years behind schedule. The United States and Russia also hope to take part in the mission.
The top Russian spacecraft-making company warned in October that its ability to build spaceships for the international space station could be at risk because of delays on government loans linked to the financial crisis. But RKK Energiya said yesterday that the company has since received all loans from the state and has no financing concerns.
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