CNES

Why have an office in the United States?

The Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES), or National Center for Space Study, ensures the promotion and development of space policy cooperation between France and the United States. With its privileged status, the office can identify, negotiate and implement cooperation projects between the two countries. Cooperation can take shape at different levels and involve various players: scientific, industrial, governmental or academic.

Introduction

Considering the magnitude of their space budget (more than seven times the European investment), the diversity of their activities, and the scientific and technical power and additional potential in the industry, the United States remains the number one power in the domain of space.

Indeed, France’s bilateral collaboration with the United States through CNES, which dates back to 1962, represents at once a terrific stimulant for technical developments as well as an important marker for others in the domain. The cooperation elevates CNES to the status of being an excellent partner among the best organizations.

Moreover, this work fuels others businesses and organizations to compete with Americans. Even if in the past Europe has positioned itself with the best in the world, with the Ariane, Galileo and spatial telecommunications projects, the competition remains stiff. In trying to keep their positions the industries face a constant challenge against Americans initiatives.

With that in mind, France has a particular responsibility towards Europe and must remain in a good position in the worldwide spatial arena. Paradoxically, the partnership with the U.S. is an essential ingredient to staying on top. After difficulties in the space shuttle program and the launch of the American space exploration, our cooperation, which is based on deep and old connections, needs renewing. With less importance given to science and international cooperation by the Bush administration and prudence on our part vis-à-vis the exploration initiative, which also preoccupies NASA, undoubtedly explains at least part of this situation.

Examples of Activities and Actions

Development of the France/United States cooperation

Spatial cooperation between France and the United States has been created over nearly 50 years by the success of ambitious scientific missions, manned flights with French astronauts among American teams, and also by major industrial collaborations between the two countries.

The Earth Observation missions that often produced results of an outstanding quality symbolize the great quality and capacities of the cooperation Franco-American. First, the missions of Altimetry Topex-Poseidon and Jason (1&2), which reflect the expertise of CNES, NOAA and NASA in terms of spatial oceanography, represent the most remarkable coalescing of this alliance. It also provides information particularly interesting to the international science community. The Calipso mission, aimed at studying the atmosphere, is as well the product of a close synergy between the French and American agencies. CNES also adds significant contributions to robotic exploration projects lead in collaboration with NASA: Cassini-Huygens (with ESA’s partnership), whose destinations are Saturn and Titan, and the very ambitious Mars Science Laboratory (MSL), scheduled for 2009, which promises to considerably improve our knowledge of the “Red Planet.”

In addition, seven French astronauts have participated in missions on American space shuttles since Patrick Baudry’s flight in 1985. Considering flights to the Mir station, Hubble telescope, and International Space Station (where French astronaut Leopold Eyharts will live and work in 2008), the Franco-American crews are also the symbols of the two countries’ continuing spatial partnership.

Finally, French and European industry play an important role in international space market, in particular vis-vis our American partners. EADS, Thales, and Safran are leaders in the development of telecommunications, propulsion, and scientific systems. With its dominant position in the market of launchers Arianespace, is also a major partner for leaders in American space policy, as is illustrated by the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope (planned for 2013 onboard an Ariane V launcher).

Scientific watch

The office is in charge of analyzing the evolution of American space policies, regulations, programs and budgets and conducting a close and structured follow-up to all the fields of space activity (access to space, telecommunications, navigation, space sciences, Earth observation, human spaceflight).

Relevant memos and reports are drafted based on key news issues, using the information obtained in the specialized American press, during visits or conferences and thanks to its network of contacts among the major American space actors.

Additionally, two weekly newsletters, Etats-Unis Espace (in French) and France in Space (in English), which synthesize the main points of space news in the US and France, respectively, are published jointly with the Office of Science and Technology at the French Embassy.

Contacts

Emmanuel de LIPKOWSKI
Attaché for Science and Technology (CNES)
Washington, D.C.
Tel: +1 (202) 944-6225
Fax: +1 (202) 944-6138
Email: cnes ambafrance-us.org

Francois DIDELOT
Deputy Attaché for Science and Technology (CNES)
Washington, D.C.
Tel: +1 (202) 944-6579
Fax: +1 (202) 944-6138
Email: cnes.mst ambafrance-us.org

Sarah GUILLOU
Assistant for Science and Technology (CNES)
Washington, D.C.
Tel: +1 (202) 944-6223
Fax: +1 (202) 944-6138
Email: assistant.cnes ambafrance-us.org