Esa Gives Initial Approval To Programs With Military Applications

摘要

European Space Agency (ESA) governments Nov. 26 gave initial approval to programs to build data-relay satellites and to prepare a collective effort on space surveillance, both of which had been criticized as responding to military requirements without military funding.rnThe 18 ESA government ministers who met here Nov. 25-26 did not give a ringing endorsement of either the European Data Relay Satellite System (EDRS) or the Space Situational Awareness program.rnBut ESA Director-General Jean Jacques Dordain said Nov. 26 that both had received enough early backing to make it likely they would become fully funded efforts in the coming months.