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DKK 350 million for new space activities

December 02, 2016
Denmark will invest DKK 350 million in space activities, including participation in the International Space Station (ISS). There is great potential for finding new solutions for a better future, says Søren Pind.

At a ministerial conference at the European Space Agency (ESA) in Switzerland today, it was announced that Denmark will allocate DKK 350 million for new space activities over the next three years.

Minister for Higher Education and Science Søren Pind stresses that we must use the opportunities presented by space activities to find new solutions leading to a better future:

- Companies, researchers and public authorities can use activities in space to find useful solutions to some of the greatest challenges facing us on Earth. For example, satellites can be used for climate observations so that we may better react to climate change, says Søren Pind.

DKK 160 million of the DKK 350 million is earmarked for Danish researchers and businesses to participate in the development of new space technologies, telecommunications, as well as utilising the European satellite systems Copernicus and Galileo for new commercial opportunities.

DKK 126.5 million will be used on Earth observation, including using satellites to observe the oceans, climate and environmental changes.

The remaining funds will also go towards activities on the International Space Station (ISS), which had its first visit from a Danish astronaut - Andreas Mogensen – last year. The funds will be used for medical research on the ISS as well as operation of the station until 2024.

The DKK 350 million in funds have been allocated for the next three years in accordance with the 2017 national budget.

About the conference

  • The 22 member countries of the ESA discussed space activities worth approx. DKK 48 billion over the next three years.
  • The ministerial conference approved a new budget for the ESA's mandatory activities for the next five years, including the basic science programme regarding solar system physics and astronomy.
  • The ESA's mandatory budget includes a number of joint activities such as the launch base in French Guiana, data storage, as well as various study and educational activities.

For further information please contact:

Head of Division Peter Sloth, e-mail pesl@fi.dk, tel. +45 7231 8290
Senior Adviser Gorm Kofoed Petersen, e-mail gpe@fi.dk, tel. +45 7231 8287
Press Officer Kristina Mie Hansen, tel. +45 7231 8012, e-mail: kmh@ufm.dk.

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