Warsaw will host a travelling exhibition which underlines how space activities and applications have a direct impact on citizens’ daily life. Over 30,000 applications rely on space technologies that for instance can help optimizing transport, increasing efficiency in agriculture and fisheries, protecting the environment or improving security.
After a first big success in 10 European cities during the last year, the exhibition will continue its way in another dozen of cities all over Europe. In Warsaw the exhibition will be presented at Plac Defilad in front of Palace of Culture and Science. From the 4th to 9th of May, visitors of all ages can see, touch and experience the wide range of innovative technologies and services that space offers to them. Entrance to the European Space Expo is free to the public and all information will be presented in several languages.
European Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani, Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship, said: “The EU investment is crucial for the provision of services essential in our modern life. This exhibition is a great opportunity for Europe’s citizens to realize the wide range of applications available thanks to the EU satellite navigation and Earth observation programmes.”
Through the investment in the EU flagship programmes of Galileo and Copernicus (previously known as GMES – Global monitoring for the environment and Security), the citizens of Europe will benefit from the many services and applications, which are creating global market opportunities and helping to support job creation and economic growth.
With Galileo, Europe is now a step closer to having its own smart satellite navigation system, which will bring many benefits to our economies and our daily lives. From 2014, the new constellation will enable improved services ranging from more precise in-car navigation, effective road transport management, search and rescue services, more secure banking transactions as well as reliable electricity provision, which all rely heavily on satellite navigation technologies to work efficiently.
The market for global satellite navigation applications will reach €240bn by the end of the decade, with about 7 % of gross domestic product – equal to €800m in Europe – reliant on satellite navigation services. Independent studies have shown that Galileo could contribute up to €90bn to the European economy in its first 20 years.
Alongside Galileo, Copernicus uses data collected by satellites, as well as Earth-based measuring tools to help develop understanding of climate change and environmental issues through the accurate observation of, for instance, the state of oceans or the chemical composition of the atmosphere. It will also have security applications, such as in border surveillance. According to the OECD, the global market for commercial Earth observation data could rise to $3bn per year by 2017. Copernicus is expected to induce benefits worth at least four to ten times the necessary investment. Currently, the European space manufacturing industry is worth €5.4bn per year and employs a highly qualified workforce of more than 31,000 people.
Through the unique interactive, educational and entertaining displays at the European Space Expo, the European Union highlights the many positive benefits that investment in space brings to the everyday lives of European citizens.
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For more information, please visit http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/space/expo/index_en.htm
