Prague as a space center. The Czech capital is to become the capital of the European Union’s space program
An important place, but the smallest part of the program’s budget also falls on the SST system, which is to monitor objects in space that could get into a collision trajectory with the Earth. These are asteroids, asteroids and also “space junk”, ie the remnants of space rockets and satellites in orbit around the Earth.
At the end of April, MEPs approved a new EU space program with a record budget for 2021-2027.
Two thirds of the EU space budget for Prague
Enlargement is therefore awaiting the European Union Agency for the Global Navigation System Galileo (GSA), based in Prague. As part of the changes, the Prague headquarters will gradually become the new EU Agency for the Space Program.
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“I am very happy that it worked, the three years of negotiations were not easy. The agency is gaining in importance, “said Evžen Tošenovský, MEP (ODS), who is dedicated to expanding the agency. The approval of the new EU space program was addressed as a shadow rapporteur.
The changes have yet to be approved by the member states, but it is already certain that in the next seven years, almost 15 billion euros, ie over 380 billion crowns, will be available for space activities.
You can find the universe everywhere. In the car, on the phone, at the bank. The technology is used by tractors in agriculture or, for example, trams in Prague.
Rodrigo da Costa, Executive Director of the GSA
The Prague agency is already preparing for it, the largest part of the money, about two thirds, will fall on programs run from Prague. In addition, demand for technologies using the European navigation system Galileo or the European satellite imagery program Copernicus is growing rapidly, according to GSA Executive Director Rodrigo da Costa:
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“Society and security are increasingly dependent on space technology. You can find the universe everywhere. In your car or phone and at your bank. The technology is used by tractors in agriculture or, for example, trams in Prague. The universe also brings job opportunities. The European Union’s space industry generates a quarter of a million jobs, and that number could almost double by 2025. “
Once the change in the form is confirmed by the Member States, they will enter into force retroactively from 1 January this year. Prague will thus become the capital of the European Union’s space program.
Can we afford not to have a space program?
But does it even make sense to spend money on space research at a time when not only Europe is entering a period of economic crisis after the covid pandemic?
MEP Mikuláš Peksa (Pirates) thinks the question is not whether to spend money on space research, but whether we can afford not to invest in space technology at all:
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“This is a very important, modern and promising sector that has a positive impact on the functioning of the whole economy. The investment we make here will pay off many times over, as will the increase in corporate incomes and salaries for citizens. In the end, the taxes we collect from it will also increase, because those things are taxed. In any case, these investments will pay for themselves, and I think Europe should invest in that. If we stop now – after the whole economy has stopped because of the covidid – and stop investing, it will be much worse than it is. “
Space technology is an important, modern and promising sector that has a positive impact on the functioning of the whole economy.
Mikuláš Peksa
According to Peksa, Europe should now also strive to have a modern space carrier, a rocket, and not be dependent on third parties. Having the ability to transport material into orbit is a kind of strategic value that each of the great powers should hold.
Every European rocket has components from the Czech Republic
Ondřej Šváb from the Ministry of Transport is a professional representative of the Czech Republic in the working group for space of the Council of the European Union. He names several satellite systems to which Czech companies supply various components. The Czechia is also involved in data processing and the development of applications and services provided by satellite systems such as Meteostat (weather forecasting) or Galileo (precision navigation and positioning).
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“Czech companies work on the hardware of these satellites, on various coolers, optics, microelectronics or on the software that controls these satellites. We are currently participating in more than thirty ESA missions, but it is an independent European organization, independent of the European Union. This is where the preparation of the satellite infrastructure, which the Union then uses, is taking place, “explains Šváb, adding:
“We also have companies that produce parts of Ariane 5 launchers or the upcoming Ariane 6, for example in Klatovy or Brno. It can be said that every European rocket that flies into space will have Czech components on it. “
The second Czech cosmonaut?
Although manned space travel is not a priority of the EU’s space program, Europe is looking for new astronauts. The European Space Agency (ESA) is currently collecting applications from space enthusiasts. The application deadline is May 28, 2021.
Michal Václavík from the Czech Space Office in forty different serious people interested in the space mission, who turned to him with a question or request for help.
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ESA is not only looking for experienced pilots and soldiers, but ordinary people, for example, are affected by lower limbs. “In terms of physical proportions, there is a limit of 150 to 190 centimeters in height. The upper age limit has been moved to 50 years. This addresses a much wider range of candidates compared to previous selections of astronauts, “concludes Václavík.
The results of the ESA tender will be known next autumn. However, money also plays a role in the selection of candidates from the 27 countries of the European Union. You also choose according to how much you put into the agency’s budget.
“Now, as the Czechia, we use not much, but not much. That’s enough for some of the basic research we’re doing, but if we wanted to have our own astronaut, we’d have to dig deeper into our pockets. It’s not just that the astronaut is doing research in space, but it’s also a huge advertisement and prestige for the state. It also attracts young people to study technology and space technology. In my opinion, the investment will always pay off, “concludes Michal Václavík from the Czech Space Office.
Listen to the whole Europe Plus, prepared by Pavel Novák.