Customer Reviews

International Cooperation in Space: The Example of the European Space Agency (Frontiers of Space)

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The subject of this book is, of course, the European Space Agency, but more specifically the Science Programme and its "Horizon 2000" long term plan. Both authors are former executives of ESA and were directly involved in the definition of this plan, ensuring accurate information. Roger Bonnet was actually the head of the Science Programme for more than 20 years, and resigned only in 2000.

The first part of the text provides a historical background of the early days of cooperation in space among European nations, with the rise and fall of ELDO, and the transformation of ESRO into ESA in 1975. The book then continues with a explanation of how the very peculiar ESA system works: mandatory and optional programmes, the fair return system, the 120% cost overrun limit, etc. Diagrams are provided to synthesize the information.

Then, several international endeavours are being described: Giotto, the International Solar Polar Mission (which lead to Ulysses) or the ISS. For each, the role of ESA is explained, demonstrating the growing confidence of the Agency as it deals with more and more complex projects. Finally, the new international context, since the fall of the Soviet block and the rise of the European Union, sets the stage for the future of Europe in space.

This book, which is quite short, nonetheless provides the reader with a good idea of what ESA is, and how different it is from national organizations, such as NASA. Indeed, anyone frustrated by the repetitive project cancellations on the American side will be quite surprised to learn that not one ESA science project has ever been cancelled once approved, in more than 20 years. And only a few projects have suffered from major cost overrun... and they all involved some cooperation with NASA. As a consequence, it is quite clear from this text that both authors, who have been directly involved with those projects, share some resentment towards the US way of doing things.

Overall a good book, accurate and well written, if a little bit too short.

If you want to improve you overall knowledge of ESA, I would recommend the very interesting book from a professional anthropologist: "Launching Europe" by S. Zabusky (1995, ISBN 0691029725). In just under 300 pages, you will get an intimate view of the inner workings of ESA. For a very complete history, in 600 pages, you should read "A New Force at a New Frontier" by K. Madders (1997, ISBN 0521570964). You can also order (for free!) the annual reports from 1994 directly from the ESA web site.