Ukraine, EU deepen space cooperation

European Union has allocated 1.45 million euros for bringing of Ukrainian laws and technical regulations in the area of satellite navigation and remote sensing of the Earth into compliance with European standards.

During the launching ceremony for Twinning project in the field of satellite navigation (EGNOS/Galileo) and Remote Sensing of the Earth (GMES), Ian Tombinsky, Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine, forecasted cooperation of Ukraine and European Union after signing the Association Agreement with the EU, scheduled for late November at Vilnius summit.

The diplomat said Ukrainian space technology one of Ukraine’s most important assets will be in great demand in the European space programs. Ukrainian space sector has strong scientific and industrial potential (over 59 aerospace facilities) and Ukraine is among the top five countries on the market of space service and technology, the Information-analytical Bulletin of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine informs.

According to State Space Agency of Ukraine (SSAU), Ukraine s space science in our country is an example of successful high-tech science. Ukraine has a space potential, which can become a driving force for other sectors of the economy. But in order to realize this potential, it is necessary to change the paradigm of state space industry, so that space exploration would become a part of the economy (Ukrainian export of space products is 312 million USD).

The SSAU believe that ratification of the EU Association Agreement will ensure forming of economically sustainable, competitive, and diversified aerospace sector of Ukrainian economy (about 1/3 of space potential of the former Soviet Union remained in Ukraine).Innovation and commercialization principles were the basis this summer for the Cabinet of Ministers to approve a Concept of National Targeted Science-Technical Space Program 

2013–2017 (with total funding of 2.58 billion USD).

The new space program will significantly expand the cooperation with European Space Agency, namely, in establishing geo-information support system and monitoring of emergency situations using space-based information.