Danger Seen In Delay Of Space Programme

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30976, 4 February 1966, Page 13

Danger Seen In Delay Of Space Programme

(N.Z.P.A. Reuter—Copyright)

LONDON, Feb. 3.

Grave risk was involved in delaying a decision about long* term common policy for a European space programme, the secretary-general of E.L.D.0., Mr Renzo Di Carrobio, said in London today.

E.L.D.O.—the European Space Vehicle Launcher Development Organisation—is composed of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Holland and Belgium.

Its firing range is Woomera.

Mr Di Carrobio said he had serious doubts if everyone fully realised what was at stake.

“The hesitancy of sopie governments does nothing to allay such doubts,” he said. If Europe did not maintain its position as the spearhead of advance in all fields, it would continue to lose an increasing number of its most able scientists and engineers. “This loss is being particularly felt in the United Kingdom, where language is not an obstacle,” he said. These men would go where they might be offered better remuneration but, more important, where there was more scope.

LOSS OF ADVANTAGES .Any delay would also mean a waste of the resources allocated to the launcher development, said Mr Di Carrobio.

More seriously, it would entail the loss of the advantages which had resulted from the countries’ growing experience of international co-operation not previously entered upon. Only now was Europe learning to co-operate in managing a technical programme. In this a member State gained valuable experience by undertaking part of the development with a budget this year of about 80 million dollars.

It would be impossible to re-establish the close international relationship which had been built at all levels.

The cause of the hesitancy was due in great measure to the high cost of space activities and the tremendous lead of America and Russia. This gave rise to belief in some quarters that Europe could not expect to enter the field with the confidence of achieving results of comparable value—even by combining efforts. National programmes were to be considered a highly-

important part of European space activity.

A Ministerial conference would be held In the next few weeks to consider, in particular, the future policy for space vehicle launcher development in Europe, Mr Di Carrobio said.

He was speaking at a meeting in the House of Commons arranged by “Britain in Europe, Ltd.,” an organisation dedicated to promoting British membership of the European Economic Community and closer cooperation with European countries.