F R 1 0 - 9 7
Home | Update | Latest Issue | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles | FR 10/97
TOGETHER INTO THE FUTURE
by Wolfdietrich Hoeveler50 years ago: Together, American scientists, politicians, the military and the industry started the work on supersonic flight. On 14 October, 1947, Captain Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier on his 50th flight with the rocket-powered Bell X-1. This was the beginning of the intense research of this speed regime in the USA, much earlier than in Europe.
Strategic farsightedness in the USA showed the benefits of researching these flight envelopes. Soon, military programs became the origin for many civil projects, for example, the Boeing 707. The era of spin-offs, which describes the utilization of know-how and capabilities for other tasks, began.
Like the USA did 50 years ago, the German government, today, wants to initiate and accomplish aerospace projects with international cooperations. This especially concerns spaceflight, since the budget for these activities is increasingly under pressure.
With its new space concept, the government is coping with the challenge of the current situation. It focuses on "the new orientation of the German research activities", aiming at an "increase in innovation and a concentration on economic growth areas by enforcing the cooperation of official research establishments with the private economy and the industry". This is the right course.
Instead of supporting technology driven applications, the government now wants to initiate and support market-driven projects. The industry is indirectly benefiting from such politics since "the room for future growth of the space industry will mainly be in the market".
Due to the budget situation, the research minister must set priorities, meaning that Germany can not cover all areas of spaceflight in depth the way the USA or Japan can.
The German space activities will concentrate on the engagement in Europe. Together with the ESA partners, especially France, these activities will be increased and also, this area will be further developed in the meaning of joint European interests. Germany taking over a leading position in Europe's share in the International Space Station (with the Columbus space laboratory), is one aspect of it. The utilization of Columbus is to be put on a broad commercial basis.
The decision for a further development of Ariane 5 also follows this new principle. The way for the Space Station's crew transport vehicle must be pointed ahead today. Only the own access to space secures future positions and demonstrates strategic farsightedness. The competition in the launch business is strong and, with governmental support, is trying to acquire market shares from Arianespace.
There is now doubt that the government's new space concept looks good in writing. However, the wording clearly indicates that there will need to public majorities to generate the necessary funds for the spaceflight activities. There is only hope that the discussion with visions will materialize into concrete programs.
From page 4 of FLUG REVUE 10/97
Home | Update | Latest Issue | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles | FR 10/97
Copyright 1997 by Motor-Presse Stuttgart. All rights reserved.
Last updated September 5, 1997
FLUG REVUE, Ubierstr. 83, 53173 Bonn, Germany