ROOM
98
Opinion
Mike Leggett
Programme Manager
& space lecturer,
Milton Keynes, UK
“W
e are leaving the European Union
not Europe”, an often-repeated
phrase since the UK Referendum of
23 June 2016, and one which might
offer some comfort to those who are participants
in organisations outside the European Union
(EU), including the European Space Agency (ESA).
However, the distinction between the EU and
intergovernmental organisations such as ESA is
not always clear cut and the way ahead might not
necessarily be plain sailing.
ESA is not part of the EU; it has 22 member
states, not all of which are EU members. Norway
and Switzerland are members of ESA, for example,
but not members of the EU. Furthermore, the EU
currently has 28 members (including the UK), not
all of which are members of ESA.
On the face of it, Brexit should not directly
affect the UK’s membership of ESA. However,
there might be indirect effects as a consequence
of ESA-EU programmes and depending on the final
nature of Brexit.
The EU itself is a major contributor to ESA,
principally for the Galileo global navigation
satellite system (GNSS), which began operations
in December 2016, and the Copernicus Earth
observation programmes. Funded and owned by
the EU, ESA acts as design and procurement agent
for Galileo on behalf of the European Commission.
Copernicus is also led by the EU.
The UK is a key participant in these programmes
but after Brexit continued UK participation in
these programmes might become problematic.
There is considerable support across the
board for continued UK participation in ESA
after Brexit. The UK is a significant contributor
to ESA and it is recognised that membership of
an organisation such as ESA allows its member
ROOM
is an open forum for comment and opinion - and actively encourages
contributions. To promote debate, discussion and inspiration we regularly
publish commentaries and opinions by space leaders and those involved
directly or indirectly in aerospace and space exploration. Here, Dr Michael
Leggett analyses the possible effects of Britain leaving the EU (‘Brexit’) on
the long-established cooperation of the UK and Europe in space.
The UK and Europe as
viewed by British
astronaut Tim Peake
during his ESA mission on
the International Space
Station.
Could Brexit blow a hole
in UK’s space ambitions?
ESA
