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GERMAN SPACE ACTIVITIES REVIEWED
by Wolfdietrich HoevelerThe German space branch continues to be under pressure and must further pursue its cost cutting course. Still, there has been a wide public as well as political frontier developing in favor of the space branch. Even failures, such as the Ariane 5's first launch or the Mars '96 mission, could not change that.
The government's difficult financial situation does not give any leeway to the minister of education, science, research and technology (BMBF) to start new projects or programs. Furthermore, a major part of the funds is tied to long-term ESA programs, for example the space station Alpha or the further development of Ariane 5. Only 20 percent of the available funds are currently being used for national projects.
Germany's ESA contribution shrunk from almost DM two billion in 1992 to just above one billion Mark in 1996, further decreasing to a low peak below the one billion mark in 1997 and 1998. Only beginning in 1999 is this low supposed to be balanced again. The situation for contributions to national projects looks similar, decreasing from DM 300 million in 1996 to DM 260 million in 1997. Beginning in 1998 this budget is supposed to increase again, reaching DM 298 million in the year 2000.
To make better use of the capacities of Germany's space branch is one of the goals when joining Dara's and DLR's activities in the new DLR (German Aerospace Research and Management Center). The decision concerning this is due for the first quarter of 1997.
Along with Dara's and DLR's operating costs, the funds of the BMBF are split up into five areas:
Space research
The BMBF spent DM 250 million for space research in 1996, the main part of which (approximately DM 150 million) was put into ESA programs. Based on these numbers, Germany is paying for 23,2 percent of the entire ESA scientific program.
The most important decisions that are pending concern the replacement mission for the cluster satellites which were lost during Ariane 5's failed launch and the ROSETTA mission. ESA wants a replacement for the lost cluster. A suitable plan is being presented to the national space agencies for evaluation.
The majority of the national cooperations are made with NASA, while the affiliation with the CIS states is essentially limited to five programs, the most important one, Mars '96, having failed with two German cameras on board. Research projects with Russia include small satellites such as ABRIXAS and EQUATORS.
Earth survey
Of DM 235 million that were spent on earth survey in 1996, approximately 150 million Marks were paid for national projects. However, the funds available for ESA programs in this field will decrease in the next years and only DM 150 million can be expected from the BMBF budget for the year 2000. Still, considerable funds coming from the ministry of transport are earmarked for new weather satellites, increasing the total funds spent on earth exploration significantly by the year 2000.
The two ERS satellites which have been operating in a tandem since 1995 are the most important European programs with a German participation. The missions ENVISAT-1 and METOP-1 are in planning. Furthermore, EUTMETSAT will develop the second generation of Meteosats which are supposed to be launched beginning in 2000.
The national programs are dominated by instruments and small satellites, a focus being on the extension of the radar capacities in the X-band (10 GHz).
All together there is a significant commercial potential in the field of earth survey. Just for the next ten years the EU expects a market volume of approximately DM 23 billion for satellites and launches plus more than DM 30 billion for data transfer and evaluation as well as services.
Telecommunication/navigation
From the commercial aspect, the space branch is farthest developed in the area of telecommunication. Due to this fact, subsidies are limited and are being used for very specific applications only. A total of DM 40 million is earmarked for this area until the year 2000.
The ARTEMIS satellite, which is alleged to launch in 1998, is the main program. Germany participates with 12,5 percent in the program, added by technology programs which are to ensure the competitiveness of their own industry in a national, as well as, European outline.
The European navigation satellite system ENSS could be an alternative for the area of satellite navigation. However, the funds for this system, comprising of eight to twelve geosynchronous satellites, must still be generated. A financing through user fees would commercialize this business also.
Access to space
The BMBF budgets for access to space (DM 400 million in 1996) include the German participation for the maintenance and operation of the Kourou space center, as well as, the development of Ariane 5.
The Ariane program has already paid off. Four times the development costs have already come back as orders to their own industry, something that is also expected for the Ariane 5 which will succeed today's commercial operation of Ariane 4 beginning in 1997/1998. Germany is participating with 17,67 percent in the further development of Ariane 5 which is to ensure the potential of the rocket in the competition of launch services until 2015. Germany also has a 33,5 percent share in the current first phase of FESTIP (Future European Space Transportation Investigation Programme) with which Europe wants to control the future after Ariane 5.
Space station/orbital systems
Germany will participate in the international space station program which has developed out of an American-Russian initiative. The first module will be launched into space this year. The assembly of the station is mainly an American-Russian task. Beginning in 2002, station Alpha is to replace the activities of the space station Mir.
Europe is participating with Ariane 5 flights in the costs of the station and will also supply the Columbus laboratory module which is being developed under German program lead. The German industry is also participating to a major degree in the ATV development.
The costs for the European program share could be limited to DM 2,85 billion. With over DM 1,3 billion, Germany will pay the largest single share until the year 2000. During the user phase, the German share will be at 37 percent.
Furthermore, Germany will conduct some national orbital programs such as the outstanding Mir '97 mission.
Research in space conditions
A similar budget as for telecommunication and navigation will be spent for research in this area. The annual budget of DM 80 million will stay at this level until the year 2000. A variety of experiments, mainly for national programs, will be financed with this money.
All together, Germany is not in a bad position with its available budgets. All of the other European countries which are committed to space, must face similar problems. The good of this pressure is that the nations are forced to work together - something that would be beneficial for Europe and Germany.
From page 36 of FLUG REVUE 2/97
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Last updated January 10, 1997