Since the signature of the Brize Norton framework
arrangement on 31 January 2014, French-UK space
co-operation has achieved many things, notably in the
fields of Earth observation and climate action. For
example, the UK Space Agency is working with CNES to
develop the IASI-NG (Infrared Atmospheric Sounding
Interferometer New Generation) instrument for
Eumetsat’s programme to improve weather forecasts.
An agreement has also been signed to enable the UK
space Agency to participate in CNES’s contribution to
the SWOT (Surface Water & Ocean Topography) mission
being pursued jointly with NASA. France and the United
Kingdom are also teaming on the MicroCarb programme to
monitor and map sources and sinks of carbon gases.
The statement signed today proposes to step up
co-operation in space between France and the United
Kingdom.
Alice Bunn, Director of International at the UK Space
Agency, said:
The UK and France play leading roles in global
efforts to explore the solar system and use satellite
technologies to improve life on Earth. From missions
to Mars to cutting-edge climate measurements from
space, we want to build on the successful history of
close collaboration for the benefit of both our
nations.
Jean-Yves Le Gall, President of CNES, said:
Since the signature of the Brize Norton framework
arrangement, space cooperation between France and the
United Kingdom has gone from strength to strength.
The statement signed today is set to consolidate and
extend our collaboration, in particular our joint
efforts to tackle climate change through the IASI-NG,
SWOT and MicroCarb projects.
Closer cooperation will notably cover work on climate
science and space systems in support of the
implementation of a Space Climate Observatory (SCO),
set out in the Paris Declaration adopted by the world’s
heads of space agencies at the One Planet Summit.
A future partnership between the two nations on Mars
exploration is also under consideration for technology
developments in autonomous navigation of the ExoMars
mission rover.
In the field of applications and innovations leveraging
space data and technologies, CNES and the UK Space
Agency are keen to nurture space hubs and ecosystems
that will help to support humanitarian relief efforts
around the globe in response to the increasing number
of natural disasters being fuelled by climate change.
The two nations feel that technical and scientific
exchanges should continue in order to further explore
areas of possible future cooperation.
