Germany and Britain are heading for deep and severe cuts in public spending. The politicians have given sombre speeches about the “tough times” that lie ahead.
However there have been indications in both countries that “Space research” will escape.
Speaking at the Berlin Air Show this week, Professor Jan Woerner, chairman of the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), said “he does not expect space to be affected by the nation’s big austerity drive”.
In the UK, the new science minister David Willets has said in a BBC interview, ”I believe in the space industry. Britain has a comparative advantage and we will carry on backing space.”
It remains to be seen whether the two countries allow space research to escape the cuts. However it is interesting and heartening that the politicians do not want to be associated with cutting all investment in science. Money may be found to invest in our technological future in the most glamorous way possible – space exploration and rocket science. In these times where little is exempt from cuts this is perhaps some reason for optimism.
Some links:
German space escapes budget cuts – link to the BBC article
Coalition wants UK space lift-off – Link here
// Esther Crooks
Hi!
It is indeed interesting to see what will happen to science in times of severe cost-cutting. It must be a tough challenge to make the right priorities!
If you ask the broader public, they don’t really think space research is that important – at least not the Swedish public.
When we (VA) ask about the importance of public spending on different research areas, ”Space” comes out very low with just about a third saying it is important – compared to the well above 8 out of 10 who think spending money on medical research, energy or environmental issues are as important
(https://vetenskapallmanhet.se/allmanheten/). The space trips made by our Swedish astronaut Fuglesang had no effect on the public interest.
As far as can be seen in this report from the RCUK, the Brits aren’t very excited about space either, compared to other areas: http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/cmsweb/downloads/rcuk/scisoc/pas08.pdf (see page 12)
I don’t know what Germans think, but my guess is they would be quite similar to Swedes and Brits?
I believe it is hard for many people – including politicians perhaps – to see the large benefits of space research. Maybe the scientists need to be better at communicating what they are doing and why? If the tax payers don’t see the point… why should their money go up into space…?
Hi!
It is indeed interesting to see what will happen to science in times of severe cost-cutting. It must be a tough challenge to make the right priorities!
If you ask the broader public, they don’t really think space research is that important – at least not the Swedish public.
When we (VA) ask about the importance of public spending on different research areas, ”Space” comes out very low with just about a third saying it is important – compared to the well above 8 out of 10 who think spending money on medical research, energy or environmental issues are as important
(https://vetenskapallmanhet.se/allmanheten/). The space trips made by our Swedish astronaut Fuglesang had no effect on the public interest.
As far as can be seen in this report from the RCUK, the Brits aren’t very excited about space either, compared to other areas: http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/cmsweb/downloads/rcuk/scisoc/pas08.pdf (see page 12)
I don’t know what Germans think, but my guess is they would be quite similar to Swedes and Brits?
I believe it is hard for many people – including politicians perhaps – to see the large benefits of space research. Maybe the scientists need to be better at communicating what they are doing and why? If the tax payers don’t see the point… why should their money go up into space…?