Will improve French-Norwegian space collaboration

France and Norway have many common strategic interests in space activity, and the top manager of the French Centre National d'Études Spatial (CNES), Yannick d'Escatha, recently came with a team to Svalbard and Oslo, to discuss further cooperation between France and Norway. In addition to the CNES and Norwegian Space Centre delegates, Ambassador Chantal Poiret and Secretary of State Øyvind Slåke also joined in on the trip to Svalbard.

CNES is Europe's largest space centre and one of the major driving forces behind Europe's space activity. France has also been a driving force to spread space activities to other countries.

The French delegation and the Norwegian Space Centre spent time on Svalbard for bilateral talks on future cooperation and to share views on its proposals for new programs that will be up for discussion at ESA's ministerial meeting this fall.

The French delegation also had the time to visit the satellite station SvalSat and the University Centre at Svalbard.

As an important part of the visit, the third French-Norwegian space forum was held Monday April 14th in Oslo. Around 70 participants from both nations gave presentations on several of the projects that the countries are involved in. The symposium was opened by State Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Øyvind Slåke.

Slåke said that France and Norway have long traditions of cooperation in this field, both from the work that is done in the European Space Agency ESA and on a bilateral basis.

– Looking at the national priorities of France and Norway, it is clear that the complementary aspects of our space ambitions gives opportunities for further cooperation, said Slåke.

Mr. Slåke received support from the French ambassador, Chantal Poiret.

– I think there are good chances of developing cooperation in all fields where CNES operates, she acknowledged.

The top manager of CNES, Yannick d'Escatha, praised the Svalbard-trip. He had a great sense for both nature and the technological potential of the islands. D'Escatha is keen to establish more industrial contacts across the borders.

– We have several examples of successful cooperation with practical results, including telecommunications and the environment and climate. The goal now is to find new ways for us and Norwegian industry to work together, he says.

Managing director Bo Nyborg Andersen at the Norwegian Space Centre says that it is important from the Norwegian side to have a close cooperation with France, which is Europe's most important space nation.

– But collaboration requires that both parties are mutually beneficial. Norway has a unique space related terrestrial infrastructure in the north that is attractive to all space nations, France included. In addition, Norwegian expertise are in key niche markets of the space activity, he says.

Jotne EPM Technology has a long experience of joint projects with French aerospace companies including Thales Alenia Space, Simulog (Incka), Airbus, Astrium and other EADS companies and leading French universities. We look forward to continued cooperation with our French colleagues and integration of our knowledge & expertise on future projects.