Should Poland start negotiations now for a membership of European Space Agency?

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Jun 10, 11, 17:06 #1

An article appeared in Astronomia.pl, http://astronomia.pl/wiadomosci/index.php?id=2843 , on the wake of "national euphoria" caused by a success of Polish students in Utah. The experts try to encourage our politicians that this is the right time for Poland to join European Space Agency - or rather to start appropriate negotiations. Do you think Poland can afford this during the hard economic times?

Below are some excerpts from the article, translated from Polish.

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According to experts this is the last moment for Poland to join a group of countries in which the development of space technology drives the economy. "This means the accession to the European Space Agency, to which Poland - although a member of the European Union - is not a member of" - says Jakub Ryzenko, an expert with the Space Research Center of Polish Academy of Sciences (CBK PAN). "The success of the creators of the rover MAGMA2 is another example that our country has a potential - in many areas - to become a strong member of the Agency. This would benefit not only science and economy, but also all of us"- adds Paul Wojtkiewicz, an expert with the Industrial Research Institute for Automation and Measurements (PIAP)

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Edited by: Moderator Jun 17, 11, 05:01 #2

The following has been translating from Polish source: http://astronomia.pl/wiadomosci/index.php?id=2847

The initial comments after the start of Poland's negotiations on accession to ESA

1. Prime Minister Donald Tusk's announced the beginning of negotiations on the Poland accession to the European Space Agency (ESA)
2. The following are the first comments from scientists and engineers involved in the development of astronautics and space and satellite technology in Poland.

Dr. Eng. Maciej Mroczkowski, of Polish Astronautical Society (PTA) likes the initiative and hopes for future establishment of Polish Space Agency, which is an initiative of Committee on Space Research Academy.

PTA President also noted the cooperation of PTA, Military University of Technology, Center for Space Research and Warsaw University of Technology in the preparation and launch of new educational projects at the university level, majoring in aerospace. "The intensification of activities in education and the establishment of a new discipline - engineering, satellite and space - is an indispensable condition for obtaining the benefits of conducting future cooperation in ESA," - said Mroczkowski.

He also pointed in his commentary to public consultation program of the Ministry of Economy, regarding development of satellite systems and space technology in Poland. Besides PTA many NGOs and other institutions took part in that initiative - the Copernicus Project, Mars Society Poland, Environmental Information Centre UNEP / GRID, Sub-Carpatian Amateur Astronomical and Astronautical Association, website Kosmonauta.net, Polish Rocket Society, Students' Space Circle and the portal Astronomy. pl.

In a letter sent yesterday to the participants of the consultations, their coordinator, Mateusz Wolski of the Industrial Research Institute of Automation and Measurements (PIAP), wrote: "I would like to note that the negotiations would not be possible without the tremendous commitment of industrial and scientific circles, and public administration. An important role was played by non-governmental organizations, which made sure that the subject of space and satellite technology was constantly present in the media and in discussions with the government. Today's date is worthy to remember as special. Thanks to the consensus among all political parties and to the involvement of many different interest groups we were able to open the path for the full membership in the club of the most developed countries of Europe, which is the ESA. "
http://astronomia.pl/wiadomosci/index.php?id=2847

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Jun 17, 11, 05:48 #3

There is both positives and negatives to this.
I mean we could gain or lose money.

or we can take the extra step and go for our own (which is near impossible im guessing).

The US has quit for now and are waiting for the Orion project (space ship or whatever it is).

I was reading up on some of this stuff since I am little informed.

Did you guys know about http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanislaw_Ulam.

First time I heard about him.

Whichever option Poland takes I hope its for the best.

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Jun 17, 11, 06:07 #4

legend:

There is both positives and negatives to this.
I mean we could gain or lose money.

Even if we do not travel into space, the technological side effects - driving the satellite and communication technology - should more than pay for the initial investment. By the way, guess who provides and has been providing all the telecommunication equipment and network for USA (and other) soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan? Would you be surprised if I told you that it is a Polish company? This is no secret, most people just do not notice obvious things.

legend:

Did you guys know about http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanislaw_Ulam.
First time I heard about him.

Ulam has no bearing on this discussion, other than that the he was a product of Polish School of Mathematics, which grew from a premeditated initiative of two men with a vision. The result was astounding - Polish mathematics grew from zero to ten in 15 years. Astronomy in Poland is more or less at the same crossroads, as the mathematics was then. The main idea is: specialize, specialize, specialize in few well selected disciplines.

As a curiosity: Ulam saved a so-called Scottish Book from Scottish Cafe in Lwów (Lviv), brought it to America, translated it into English and published it. Search Google or go to wikipedia if you do not know what those terms mean.

legendThreads: 9 Posts: 819 Joined: Apr 23, 11 ♂	Jun 17, 11, 06:31 #5
boletus: Would you be surprised if I told you that it is a Polish company? This is no secret, most people just do not notice obvious things. A little surprised yes. Thats cool though. Here in Canada they rarely mention stuff about space unless its USA or Russia or the CanadaArm lol.

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