Eryl McNally is a Member of the European Parliament and a member of the European
Commission-led ‘Group of Personalities’ looking at security-related
research. Speaking at a recent meeting in Belgium, she urged greater support
for space activities, among the public, the media and within the political
hierarchy.

“This is a vulnerable period for European space activites,” she
said, speaking in Leuven in February 2004. “We rely on the support of
the public and we face difficult times in a democratic society if we cannot
adequately explain why we must continue to move forward in space. Clear and
adequate communication is an important part of this. As scientists, as politicians
and as members of the media, we must continue to educate each other and the
public.

The bottom line
”
The reality is that average taxpayers want to know where their money is going
and why. They want to know what’s in it for them. Of course, those of
us who work in the space field know all about the important benefits and services
that result from our presence in space. I’m talking about basic things
like weather reports. I’m talking about GMES and space-based Earth observation
services – the important information we can gather on the environment
and climate change, for agriculture and in the realm of security.

“We also have to stress the important spin-offs of space technologies.
One of the most recent developments involves a baby suit based on space technologies
that warns against the terrible phenomenon of infant cot death, but there are
many other examples that the public needs to know about.

“Unfortunately, most people don’t understand why the lights come
on when they flip the switch, so explaining how high technologies impact on
their lives can be very difficult.

Real benefits and something else
”
Economically, we are at a critical juncture. It is now that the groundwork
is being laid for a whole new generation of communications and global positioning
services, many of which will be provided by satellite-based technologies like
GALILEO. The importance of dynamic entrepreneurship in the space field has
never been greater. With the United States, Russia and now China all fighting
for a slice of the pie, we need to put all of our energies and resources into
making sure Europe remains a world leader in space.

“But we also have to work on recapturing that sense of wonder, the way
we all felt when we first saw a man on the moon. It is that sense of excitement
and mystery when we look up at the stars that unites all of us as human beings,
across all ages, across cultures and throughout history.”