Part Of Overall 'Space 4.0' Strategy Adopted By The Agency

The European Space Agency (ESA) has renewed its commitment to the International Space Station (ISS) through 2024, according to reports. It is the last of the international partners in the ISS to do so.

Spaceflight Insider reports that the decision was announced at the two-day Council meeting at ministerial level in Lucerne, Switzerland. Ministers in charge for space  matters from ESA’s 22 member states plus Slovenia and Canada allocated €10.3 billion ($11.1 billion) for space activities and programs based on the vision of a United Space in Europe in the era of Space 4.0.

ESA said in a news release that ministers confirmed the confidence that ESA can conceptualize, shape and organize the change in the European space sector and in ESA itself. While also acting as a global player, broker and mediator at the centre of international cooperation in space activities, in areas ranging from the far away in exploration (with the concept of a Moon Village for instance) to supporting closer to home the international global climate research effort following the Paris Agreement of 2015.

At this summit, Ministers in charge of space matters have declared support for ESA’s Director General’s vision for Europe in space and the role and development of ESA: now the Space 4.0i era can start with ESA committing to inform, innovate, interact and inspire. And, building on commercialization, participation, digitalization, jobs and growth, the concept of  “United Space in Europe” will soon become a reality.

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden (pictured) welcomed the announcement. "I'm excited all the International Space Station partners have now joined us in committing to operation of this invaluable resource through at least 2024," Bolden said.

"The European Space Agency contributions to station are essential, and we look forward to continuing to work with ESA, the Canadian Space Agency, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and Roscosmos for extended operations, and to collaborating with other nations to push the boundaries of human exploration, and extend our reach farther into the solar system as part of the ongoing Journey to Mars."

(Images from file)

(FMI: www.esa.int, www.nasa.gov