FUTURE ROLE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF SPACE ACTIVITIES IN REFLECTION OF GLOBAL SOCIAL, TECHNOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC TRENDS

摘要

The paper describes the interrelation of space activities and global socio-economic trends like "globalisation of markets" and "renaissance of fine arts". The interrelation reveals the economic, strategic, technological and scientific dimension of space activities and their benefits to mankind. Then, the significance and perspectives of space activities in these dimensions are examined in more detail. The paper calls (1) for a more visible initiative to employ space activities to tackle urgent questions of global change and development, and (2) for a stronger impetus to secure European economic position in space sector as a key industry of the 21st century.