The Outlook for the French Space Program Politique étrangère, 2/2007 (Summer)

Starting in the 1960's, France has sought to become a prominent space-faring country, leading other European nations in the quest for space. Europe nowadays boasts numerous private-sector, scientific and military co-operation programs. However, as the European Union emerges as a new space authority, the French space leadership seems to waver. The time has come for France to redefine its raison d"être in space, along with its programs and its own space governance.

Laurence Nardon is Head of the Space Policy Program at Ifri and a teacher at IEP Paris.

CAIRN website.