Space technology is technology that is related to entering, and retrieving objects or life forms from space.
"Every day" technologies such as weather forecasting, remote sensing, GPS systems, satellite television, and some long distance communications systems critically rely on space infrastructure. Of sciences astronomy and Earth sciences (via remote sensing) most notably benefit from space technology.
Computers and telemetry were once leading edge technologies that might have been considered "space technology" because of their criticality to boosters and spacecraft. They existed prior to the Space Race of the Cold War
(between the USSR and the USA.) but their development was vastly
accelerated to meet the needs of the two major superpowers' space
programs. While still used today in spacecraft and missiles,
the more prosaic applications such as remote monitoring (via telemetry)
of patients, water plants, highway conditions, etc. and the widespread
use of computers far surpasses their space applications in quantity and
variety of application.
Space is such an alien environment that attempting to work in it
requires new techniques and knowledge. New technologies originating with
or accelerated by space-related endeavors are often subsequently
exploited in other economic activities. This has been widely pointed to
as beneficial by space advocates and enthusiasts favoring the investment of public funds in space activities and programs. Political opponents
counter that it would be far cheaper to develop specific technologies
directly if they are beneficial and scoff at this justification for
public expenditures on space-related research.
Space technologies are a key to the modern information and industrial society. Communication and TV reporting around the world, the satellite navigation system in cars or precise climate and weather analyses through to emergency mapping all depend on space technologies.
The European spacecraft Automated Transfer Vehicle ATV-2,
docked to the International Space Station ISS. © ESA
According to the new space strategy of the German Federal
Government, lead by the BMWi (Federal Ministry of Economics and
Technology), the overriding aim for space projects must, at all times,
be to continue improving human living conditions. State-funded space
activities must therefore be channelled towards “space for the benefit
of the Earth”. More information here.
Space projects will be judged according to the contribution they
make to solving the challenges facing global society and whether the
long-term application of high levels of funding can be expected to bring
adequate benefits.
The Federal Government focuses its space policy strictly on
benefits and needs while, at the same time, targeting visionary goals.
To that end, space must, in competition with other instruments and with
terrestrial processes and infrastructures, demonstrate that it offers
the better solution from a cost-benefit standpoint. As tools of
research, space projects must be guided by the “benchmarking”
(scientific excellence) principle. In large-scale projects they must
show that they can prevail in competition with other methods and
scientific disciplines.
Space industry in Germany
The German aerospace industry spends an average of 20 percent of
its turnover on research and development and is therefore one of the
most research-intensive and innovative industries. As a result of their
innovative strength, German companies are sought-after partners in
international cooperation. The German locations of EADS (European
Aeronautic Defence and Space Company) and OHB, together with a unique,
innovative landscape of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) carry
out important tasks in major aerospace projects. The turnover of the
industry with its high percentage of small and medium-sized enterprises
(SME) was 2.1 billion euros in 2010. In the year 2011, the Federal
Government invested a total of 1.2 billion euros in space programmes.
This is the biggest single item in its High-Tech Strategy, About 1
billion euros are coming from the BMWi (Federal Ministry of Economics
and Technology) technology budget. The BMVBS (Federal Ministry of
Transport, Building and Urban Development) contributes 146 million euros
towards European meteorological satellites and the GMES and Galileo
programmes. These two ministries are the main contributors to the German
space budget.
International cooperation
Often, space projects can only be implemented within the
framework of international cooperation because of their complexity and
high costs. This is why Germany is one of the main partners in the
European Space Agency (ESA). ESA finances scientific missions to explore
the universe and awards contracts to aerospace firms with the aim of
realizing major projects such as Europe's participation in the
International Space Station (ISS) or the Ariane launcher system.
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