The research group will consider the present use of space technologies, its benefits and the costs to the EU. The purpose is to take stock of the existing space infrastructures; what purpose they serve; where there are difficulties in making these space assets useful; and where there is potential to achieving this objective through further European integration of space services. This may also provide the opportunity for a sociological study of behaviour and motivations of key drivers in European space policy, i.e. can a European space policy be inspirational; where do the sources of such inspiration lie; do such idealistic motivations influence decision makers in their work on space policy.

Then, the potential of space policy for the future of the European integration process will be questioned. Could a European space policy become an element of a growing European polity? And if so, how should this process be governed? These questions will be answered in 3 working groups:

WG 1: The Past: The historical development of Space policy and the analogy to maritime history

WG 2: The Future: A European identity and the impact a European Space policy may have on it

WG 3: The Present: Current space application in the EU - difficulties and potential

In order to answer these research questions interdisciplinarity is necessary and the following disciplines will be consulted: European Studies, Political Science, History, Economics, as well as Law to a minor extent.