Annual Report 2009

ANNUAL
REPORT 2009
ANNUAL REPORT 2009
What will be remembered is that astronauts discovered planet Earth; they saw Earth resembling a small blue marble floating in the Universe. They were able to bring back to Earth the notion that our future is a global one and that we have to think about the future of Earth globally.
Jean-Jacques Dordain, July 2009, on the 40th anniversary of the first moonlanding
Earthrise, seen from Apollo 11 in 1969 (NASA)
CONTENTS
II IV VI IX
Foreword Year in Review Highlights of 2009 Directors
Summary of achievements
3 37 3 3 6 69 79 93 99 Science & Robotic Exploration Earth Observation Telecommunications & Integrated Applications Galileo & Navigation-related Activities Launchers Human Spaceflight Technical & Quality Management Operations & Infrastructure Legal Affairs & External Relations Resources Management & Industrial Matters Future & plans History project & records management
Accounts
09 Notes to the financial statements 0 Audit opinion to Council Statement of income and expenditure 3 Statement of assets and liabilities Consolidated cash flow statement Statement of changes in net assets/equity
Annex
6 Agreements signed in 2009 7 ESA patent applications filed in 2009 9 Chairs of Council, Programme Boards and other delegate bodies 0 National delegations to Council
Facilities
0 ESTEC 06 ESRIN 07 ESAC 07 ESOC & the stations 08 EAC 08 CSG 08 Harwell
An ESA Communications Production Copyright 2010 European Space Agency Images copyright ESA unless otherwise stated ISSN 0258-025X
Cover photos credits: NASA; ESA and the SPIRE & PACS consortia, P. Andr (CEA Saclay) for the Goulds Belt Key Programme Consortia; ESA AOES Medialab; ESA/CNES/Arianespace Optique Vido du CSG L. Boyer; ESA/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/RSSD/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA.
Published by ESA Communication Department ESTEC, PO Box 299 2200 AG Noordwijk The Netherlands T +31 71 565 3408 contactesa@esa.int www.esa.int
FOREWORD
Although the past year has been very difficult owing to the global financial and economic crisis and its severe effects on our Member States, 2009 was a very good year indeed for European space and, in particular, for ESA. For the first time in a given year, ESA placed five new missions in orbit, the first two Earth Explorers (GOCE and SMOS), two observatories (Herschel and Planck) and Proba-2, a satellite testing new spacecraft and instrument technologies and preparing the technologies for future ESA missions. With the launch of GOCE and SMOS and the expected launch in 2010 of Cryosat-2, a polar ice mapping satellite, European governments have clearly demonstrated that Earth observation from space is one of their top priorities and that Europe is making a strong contribution to a better understanding of the environment and climate change. 2009 was also a very busy and highly successful year for Ariane 5 and Arianespace with the seven launches performed in the course of the year constituting a new record. It also marked the 30th anniversary of Ariane, whose first flight took place on 24 December 1979. In addition, there were two missions involving ESA astronauts to the International Space Station (Christer Fuglesang, whose second mission to the ISS lasted from 29 August to 12 September and Frank de Winne, who spent 189 days on the ISS and became the first European to command the Station). In another remarkable achievement, 2009 saw the end of operational life of the Ulysses mission after 18 years of exploitation. ESA and Europe can be proud of these achievements, which are the result of the collective efforts of ESA, national agencies, the scientists involved and industry. On the political level, important developments and events took place in 2009 that are set to have far-reaching implications for the Agencys future activities and plans. First, the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty on 1 December confers new powers and competences in space on the EU and will enable Europe to play an increasingly pivotal role. Second, the review of the human spaceflight programme in the USA, carried out by a panel headed by Norman Augustine, now sits on the Presidents desk awaiting a decision on future space exploration policy. Third, the financial and economic crisis has severely impacted the financial capabilities of our Member States. As to Council, which returned to its normal rhythm of meetings after the 2008 Ministerial Council in The Hague, most of its work in 2009 focused on implementing the decisions taken at that meeting. In this respect, the decision taken by the participating States at Council at the end of the year to proceed with the ExoMars mission is a significant achievement. The mission, now organised very differently from what was on the table for ministers in 2008, will consist of two successive missions to be launched in 2016 and 2018 and forms part of a wider, long-term cooperative effort with NASA to explore Mars.
II
Annual Report 2009
Other key themes dealt with by Council included the analysis of the current decision-making process and its weaknesses and the evolution of the Agencys sites and infrastructure. Proposals for decisions on these matters will be tabled to Council in 2010. No doubt the coming year will see another period of significant challenges for ESA and space. I am convinced that we can look forward to no less interesting times in 2010 for the Agency and its activities. Among the key events will be the first launch of Soyuz from the CSG in mid-2010 and the launch of the first two Galileo IOV satellites late in the year. This will also be a very important year with regard to the question of future exploitation of the ISS and Europes long-term strategy for exploration. In closing, let me thank all delegations and members of the Executive for their tireless work over the past year. I am convinced that the role of space and the services it can provide to Europes citizens will increase and that Europe, through ESA and its Member States, will continue to play a vital role in making this possible.
Maurici Lucena
Chair of Council
III
YEAR IN REVIEW
Once again it is time to wrap up a busy year of ESA activities. Looking back over 2009, one striking achievement was that no fewer than five ESA satellites were launched. With the first two Earth Explorers now in orbit, Europe has confirmed its leading position in Earth observation for the study of the environment, including climate change aspects. With the Herschel and Planck telescopes, Europe has likewise confirmed its position at the forefront of space-based astronomy, and with the technology demonstrator Proba-2, ESA is showing that it is actively preparing for the future. In Earth observation, an important milestone was reached early on in the year with the signing of an EC/ ESA agreement on contributing Segment 2 of the GMES Space Component. In March the first Earth Explorer satellite GOCE was launched, with the objective of studying Earths gravity field and geoid. It was followed by the second Earth Explorer in November, the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) mission, which will extend our knowledge of Earths water cycle. The data acquired will lead to better weather and extremeevent forecasting, and contribute to seasonal climate forecasting. Both these missions show ESAs strong and active involvement in the Earth sciences. Launching these satellites at a rate averaging one per year is something no one else in the world is doing. In space science, the main event of the year was undoubtedly the successful dual launch by an Ariane 5 ECA of the Herschel and Planck space observatories. Herschel is equipped with the largest, most powerful infrared telescope ever flown in space. This pioneering mission to study the origin and evolution of stars and galaxies will help us understand how the Universe came to be what it is today. Planck is the first European space observatory whose main goal is the study of the cosmic microwave background the relic radiation left over from the Big Bang. By observing this first light, Planck will be seeing the Universe as it was almost at its origin. Another important mission for space-based astronomy took place in May when the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope was successfully serviced for the fifth time. I must also mention the ESA/NASA mission studying the Sun: on 30 June Ulysses finally ended its operational life after a record-breaking 18 years of exploitation. Meanwhile, the much younger comet-chasing probe Rosetta continued its journey through space, passing Earth in November for its fourth and final gravity-assist manoeuvre. Two ESA astronauts flew into space this year. From May to December, Frank De Winne carried out the OasISS long-duration mission on the International Space Station, spending 189 days in space. What also made this mission unique was the fact that he became the first European commander of the ISS a task he carried out in exemplary fashion. During this mission, he was joined by fellow ESA astronaut Christer Fuglesang, who carried out his second and equally successful mission to the ISS from 29 August to 12 September. In addition, in May, ESA had the pleasure of announcing its six new astronaut recruits to an impressive gathering of international press and media reporters. ESA was also involved in the preparations for future human spaceflight missions going way beyond the ISS. From end-March to mid-July, two Europeans and four Russians spent 105 days performing a Mars mission simulation in Moscow, under the Mars500 programme. This will be followed by the full 520-day mission simulation in 2010. On the technology side, I must mention the inauguration of the second-generation MELiSSA pilot plant in Barcelona in June. This facility is testing regenerative life-support system technologies that could one day recycle waste products and supply essential food, water and oxygen to humans living on the surface of the Moon or Mars. Progress was also made on a political level. The first EU/ESA International Conference on Human Space Exploration was held in Prague in October. This was the first step in a process aimed at defining a European vision and strategic planning for space exploration.
IV
Annual Report 2009
ESA/EU cooperation in the field of satellite navigation made important progress. EGNOS was declared operational on 1 April. June saw the signing with Arianespace of a contract to launch the four Galileo In-Orbit Validation satellites on two Soyuz rockets from Europes Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. In addition to the two ESA/EU flagship programmes Galileo and GMES, the Agency continued its successful policy cooperation with the EU. The sixth ESA/EU Space Council took place on 29 May in Brussels, where ministers addressed the contribution of space to innovation and competitiveness. 2009 also marked a milestone for the European Unions involvement in space, with the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty on 1 December. The Treaty should help Europe claim a more important role internationally over the next decade, which is good news for both European integration and the European space sector. Another focus of attention was the evolution of ESAs sites and infrastructure. July saw the official opening of ESA at Harwell the Agencys first facility in the United Kingdom. The evolution of ESAs sites and infrastructure is a subject that will also be carefully prepared and monitored over the coming years. As the year neared its end, several important programme decisions were taken. Two important ESA missions were consolidated: BepiColombo, to Mercury, and ExoMars, to be carried out in cooperation with NASA. Indeed I am particularly glad that ExoMars is no longer a one-off mission but part of long-term cooperation with NASA on exploring the Red Planet. The Christmas period this year was not only a time for seasonal celebration. On 24 December, we also celebrated the 30th anniversary of the first Ariane launch from Kourou. And what an appropriate year to celebrate this, with no fewer than seven Ariane 5 launches. We can say with pride that Ariane 5 continues to affirm its role as Europes most reliable workhorse. As can be seen from the events outlined above, this was definitely both a busy and a rewarding year. Rewarding for the Member States, which continue to give ESA their constant support, and rewarding for the Executive. All the Agencys accomplishments are possible not least thanks to the dedication of its staff, at all levels and all functions included. People of many different nationalities and diverse backgrounds, all working together in pursuit of common goals. Indeed, one of the best things about an international organisation such as ESA is the diversity resulting from having people from so many countries, all cooperating to achieve together that which cannot be achieved alone. That diversity is one of ESAs most treasured assets, one that the Agency will do its utmost to sustain for the future.
Jean-Jacques Dordain
Director General
HIGHLIGHTS OF 2009
JANUARY Launch of the International Year of Astronomy, UNESCO, Paris
FEbRUARY NASA and ESA prioritise outer planet missions to Saturn and Jupiter
APRIL 5th European Conference on Space Debris, Darmstadt, Germany, the largest dedicated space debris conference in the world
JULY Ariane 5 carries heaviest and most powerful telecommunications satellite, TerreStar 1, into space, 1 July; Mars500 crew complete 105 days of isolation, 14, July; Latvia signs Cooperation Agreement, 24 July; on 20 July, 40 years ago, Apollo 11 lands on the Moon
SEPTEmbER ESAs new class of European astronauts report to EAC, 1 September; Cyprus signs Cooperation Agreement
OCTObER Frank De Winne becomes first European commander of the International Space Station, 11 October
VI
Annual Report 2009
mARCH GOCE, ESAs gravity mission launched, 17 March
mAY Herschel and Planck launched, 17 May; ESAs new astronauts selected, 20 May; ESA astronaut Frank De Winnes OasISS mission launched, 27 May
JUNE 48th International Paris Airshow, Le Bourget, France, 1521 June; Envisat Earth observation mission extended
AUGUST ESA astronaut Christer Fuglesang flies on Space Shuttle STS-128 on his Aliss mission, 29 August
NOVEmbER Proba-2 and SMOS, ESAs water mission launched, 2 November; Estonia becomes fifth ESA European Cooperating State, 12 November; Rosettas final Earth swingby, 13 November
DECEmbER COP 15 Climate Change Conference, Copenhagen, 718 December; ESA Member States give green light to ExoMars Programme, 17 December
VII
Annual Report 2009
DIRECTORS
Jean-Jacques Dordain Director General
Daniel Sacotte Director Advisor to the Director General
David Southwood Director of Science and Robotic Exploration
Volker Liebig Director of Earth Observation
Simonetta Di Pippo Director of Human Spaceflight
Antonio Fabrizi Director of Launchers
Magali Vaissire Director of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications
Ren Oosterlinck Director of the Galileo Programme and Navigation-related Activities
Michel Courtois Gaele Winters Director of Technical and Director of Operations Quality management and Infrastructure
Ludwig Kronthaler Director of Resources management & Industrial matters
Peter Hulsroj Director of Legal Affairs and External Relations
IX
science & robotic exploration
science & robotic exploration
With Herschel and Planck launched, all current missions extended until 2012, the ExoMars programme subscriptions approved and the selection process for the Medium (M) Cosmic Vision missions starting, 2009 has been a pivotal year for the Science Programme.
Cosmic Vision
Implementation of the Cosmic Vision plan passed a significant milestone with the start of the selection process to determine which two Medium (M) missions will be launched in 2017 and 2018. All mission concepts underwent detailed Assessment Phase studies during 2008 and 2009, and were subject to an ESA-internal review. In December, the selection exercise began with a public presentation of the candidate M mission science goals. The budget of the Science Programme will allow only two of them to be implemented in 2017/18. The Advisory Structure to the Science Programme will rank the missions and recommend which should progress into a Definition Phase, and the Science Programme Committee (SPC) will make their selection for the programme early in 2010. The final selection is planned within two years. Assessment of the three L missions also continued. In 2008, it became clear that these ambitious missions could only be implemented with extensive international collaboration and that the earliest launch opportunity for an L mission is 2020. Significant progress was made in scientific and industrial studies, and in the consolidation of possible international cooperation scenarios. A selection process, similar to that for the M missions, is planned for the end of 2010. Preparation for the future of the Science Programme continued with numerous technology development activities concentrating on areas identified as high scientific priorities from by the Advisory Structure. The outcome of these studies will enable the scientific community to submit viable, mature proposals at the next Call for Proposals in the Cosmic Vision plan.
A Herschel view of a star-forming complex about 850 light years away in the constellation Aquila, the Eagle, a region so shrouded in dust and gas that only the most sensitive infrared telescopes are able to reveal the young stars being born within it Possible concepts for Euclid, one of the Cosmic Vision M class missions under assessment. Euclid would address key questions in fundamental physics and cosmology, in particular on the mysterious dark energy and dark matter
Science & Robotic Exploration
Mission proposal
Cross-Scale
Class
M
Comments
Magnetospheric plasma physics mission addressing a range of physical scales through the use of multiple satellites Investigation of the nature of dark energy based on the use of weak lensing and baryon acoustic oscillations Near-Earth asteroid sample return mission Detection of exoplanets using transits and characterization of the parent stars using asteroseismology Solar observatory approaching the Sun as close as Mercury and reaching to high heliospheric latitudes (in cooperation with NASA) Mission of Opportunity, an ESA contribution to a JAXA-led 3.5 m diameter infrared observatory (ESA would provide the telescope, manage a nationally funded European instrument, SAFARI, and contribute to operations) A large X-ray observatory based on a deployable optical bench, (in cooperation with NASA and JAXA) Mission to the Jupiter system in cooperation with NASA, composed of a European Ganymede orbiter and a US Europa orbiter A three-spacecraft constellation for the detection and characterization of gravitational waves from astrophysical sources (in cooperation with NASA)
Euclid
Marco Polo PLATO
M M
Solar Orbiter
SPICA
IXO
Laplace/EJSM
Candidate missions for the first slice of the Cosmic Vision plan. All these went through Assessment Phase studies in 2009, in preparation for their selection in 2010 and 2011
LISA
missions in operation
In mid-2009, ESA obtained data from a record 18 space science missions (including those in collaboration with other space agencies). The most significant event of the year took place in May with the dual launch of Herschel, a far-infrared space observatory, and Planck, a Cosmic Microwave Background surveyor. For both missions, the spacecraft, all instruments and ground segments have demonstrated excellent performance and initial scientific results have been very positive. Later in the year, the ESA/NASA Ulysses spacecraft orbiting the Sun in a polar orbit was turned off after more than 18 years of continuous operation, and the joint Indian/ ESA Chandrayaan-1 lunar probe reached the end of its mission.
The launch of Herschel and Planck on an Ariane 5 from Kourou, French Guiana, on 14 May 2009
Annual Report 2009
Other missions include: astrophysical observatories (Hubble Space Telescope in collaboration with NASA, XMM-Newton, Integral), a solar monitoring satellite (SOHO, with NASA), planetary missions (Mars Express, Venus Express, CassiniHuygens with NASA), a comet orbiter and lander (Rosetta), and spacecraft in Earths magnetosphere (Cluster, Double Star with China). Significant scientific results were also obtained from missions with minor ESA contributions, namely Akari, Hinode and Suzaku (with Japan), and COROT (with France). Highlights included:
XMM-Newton completed its tenth year of operations and found definitive proof of the existence of intermediate-mass black holes by combining spectral and timing information. Demand for observing time continues to outstrip supply by a factor of seven. Cluster and Double Star combined to show how a strong
interplanetary shock impact on Earths magnetosphere increases the amount of energetic electrons, which are then further increased by ultra-low frequency waves wobbling Earths magnetic field lines.
Hubble was serviced for the fifth and final time in May;
two existing instruments were repaired and two new ones installed, greatly increasing its survey speed in the visible and infrared, and its sensitivity in the ultraviolet.
Integral detected strongly-varying amounts of polarisation during a gamma-ray burst, supporting the theory that such emission comes from synchrotron radiation in a relativistic, magnetised outflow. Mars Express demonstrated a simple and accurate technique
for measuring the magnetic field around Mars using its ionospheric sounder, making it possible to gain crucial new insights into the space environment near the planet.
SOHO discovered, for the first time, a directly observed

long-term change in the Suns total energy output.
CassiniHuygens observed vertical structures up to three

kilometres high in the rings of Saturn during its equinox, some of which are created by its moons.
Extreme ultraviolet image of the Sun, taken by SOHO
Never-before-seen vertical structures cast shadows on Saturns rings, seen by Cassini in June 2009
Rosetta captured stunning images of the crescent Earth
during its third and final swingby in November. It is en route to encounter asteroid Lutetia in 2010 and rendezvous with Comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko in 2014.
Venus Express detected ozone in the atmosphere of Venus for the first time. While its abundance is fairly low and highly variable, the implications for atmospheric chemistry are important because it is a highly reactive gas.
Science data from SOHO are now available from a European-based archive at ESAC. This archive uses a new advanced set of web and database technologies, which have
already been applied to the internal Planck archive. They will be progressively applied to all other astronomy and planetary mission science archives (ISO, XMM-Newton, Integral, Herschel, Giotto, Mars Express, Venus Express, Rosetta, and CassiniHuygens).
Science archives
Areas of research covered in 2009 include: the magnetospheres of Earth and the outer planets, solar and heliospheric physics, planets and minor bodies in the Solar System, the formation of stars and planets, the evolution of stellar systems and galaxies, dark matter, dark energy, fundamental physics, and cosmology.
Research activities
A spectacular view of Earth captured by the OSIRIS instrument on the Rosetta comet chaser as the spacecraft approached for its final flyby
Annual Report 2009
Projects under definition and under development

LISA Pathfinder
Launch: mid-2012
Most of the spacecraft flight units were delivered and in integration in 2009. Issues raised at the Critical Design Review held in 2008 were solved. The electrical real-time bench tests were performed and software validation is ongoing. The US Disturbance Reduction System (DRS) payload was delivered and integrated in the Science Module Flight Model. European LISA Technology Package (LTP) payload units were delivered, integrated and tested. Some critical technologies including the micro-propulsion system and the LTP caging mechanism and vacuum enclosure have also made considerable progress.
James Webb Space Telescope

Launch: mid-2014
The Engineering Test Model of NIRSpec, the innovative and pioneering near-infrared spectrograph for the James Webb Space Telescope, was completed in October by the prime contractor EADS Astrium and shipped to NASA for testing. Testing of all the flight subassemblies for the MIRI mid-infrared camera/spectrometer was nearing completion.
BepiColombo
Launch: mid-2014
The BepiColombo Preliminary Design Reviews were completed in 2009. In November, the SPC endorsed the programme adjustments needed to support a launch in 2014, reflecting the review results and a new Cost at Completion. Negotiations were completed with the prime contractor for the new baseline and cost in December. The build-up of the industrial team was complete, with about 95% of subcontractors having been selected. Implementation of the Preliminary Design Review baseline was ongoing with hardware procurement compatible with Structural Thermal Model and Engineering Test Bed integration starting in 2010. The definition of the mission operation centre and of the science ground segment continued according to plan. The year concluded with a successful Ground Segment Requirement Review allowing the detailed definition to commence.
Gaia
Launch: mid-2012
The optical bench (torus) Flight Model was produced and delivered by Boostec to Astrium SAS and the Service Module Flight Model was delivered by CASA to Astrium Ltd. Integration of the first payload elements on the torus and of the chemical propulsion system on the Service Module started at the end of the year. Three of the ten flight mirrors were delivered by AMOS (BE) in December. Almost all flight model CCDs were delivered by e2v. The full-size demonstrator model of the RVS grating, built by industry, was delivered to ESA at the beginning of 2009: the performance of the grating is excellent. The Gaia video processing unit development activity was finalised with the delivery of the Engineering Model from Astrium Ltd to Astrium SAS. A first version of the scientific software was loaded on the unit and tested. System-level functional tests on the spacecraft Avionics Model took place throughout the year.
LISA Pathfinder Science Module Flight Model
Gaias optical bench torus complete after brazing at Boostec
The NIRSpec spectrograph for JWST at EADS Astrium
Robotic exploration
The year started with the challenge of bringing the costs of ExoMars within 1 billion, as instructed by the ESA Ministerial Council in 2008. The mission was restructured through the year, after much negotiation and analysis with NASA and the participating ESA Member States, to achieve a satisfactory mission architecture. The mission was reorganised into a cooperative mission with NASA to use the two launch opportunities in 2016 and 2018. In both cases, NASA will provide the launcher and launch services. ESA will lead the 2016 mission by providing a Mars Orbiter, carrying communications relay equipment and an extensive orbital payload of atmospheric sensing and imaging instruments selected by a joint ESA/NASA Announcement of Opportunity, and an ESA-supplied Entry, Descent, and Landing Demonstrator Module. NASA will lead the 2018 mission, providing the spacecraft and Entry, Descent, and Landing system; both ESA and NASA will supply separate rovers. Council approved this architecture on 17 December with a subscription of 850 million to undertake the implementation phase. The declaration for the Mars Robotic Exploration Programme (MREP) was also agreed at the Hague Ministerial Council. This programme will study missions after ExoMars, leading eventually to a Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission, expected to be launched in the mid 2020s. In addition, an Exploration Technology Programme will be formed to ready technology for exploration needs. The MREP aims to develop strategic partnerships with NASA and potentially other space agencies to open a number of science opportunities while delivering the required technology.
ESAs ExoMars Orbiter shown deploying the ESA-supplied Entry, Descent, and Landing Demonstrator Module on the 2016 mission
Annual Report 2009
Communication
For the International Year of Astronomy 2009, ESA was involved in several cornerstone projects, including a visible presence during the opening ceremony in January, where the Planck Dome and Herschel truck received much attention, and there was a live webcast from ESAC of the XMM-Newton and Integral Science Operations during the 100 Hours of Astronomy event in April. Seven video podcasts were produced, depicting ESAs astronomy missions and their major contributions to science. An educational competition, based on archived Integral data, took place from April to August within the context of the Galileo Teacher Training Programme.
PRODEX
PRODEX (Programme de Dveloppement dExpriences Scientifiques) saw the continuation of the Belgian contribution to the Flight Model for the Mid-infrared Instrument (MIRI) as part of the James Webb Space Telescope. Other main hardware development activities were the start of Phase-C/D for the BepiColombo Laser Altimeter instrument, the major payload on the European part of BepiColombo, and the start of Phase-C/D for the two payloads in the Austrian contribution to NASAs Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission. PRODEX has also contributed substantially to the first phases of development of life and material sciences projects with launch opportunities in the period 201011.
Mission
Herschel
Experiment (sub)systems
PACS DEC/MEC, grating HIFI Mixer, COA, IF-2
Proposer/country
Defise (BE) Benz (CH)
Proba-2
LYRA SWAP DSLP
Hochedez (BE), Schmutz (CH) Berghmans (BE) Travnicek (CZ)
Foton M3
Radcells
Van Oostveldt (BE) Baatout (BE)
Experiments/instruments launched in 2009
ISS
Ying-B
Willaert (BE)
Mission
JWST
Instrument/subsystems
MIRI instrument control electronics
Country
BE
Model
Flight Model
PICARD (CNES)
PREMOS-2
CH
Flight Model
ISS
Hardware elements completed within PRODEX in 2009
Padiac
CH
Flight Model
LISA Pathfinder
Inertial Sensor Front-end Electronics
CH
Flight Model
Support to scientists
The number of scientists and projects/topics supported through PRODEX in 2009 remained at a similar level to 2008. Out of the 127 projects managed through PRODEX, 34 included hardware-related activities in various stages of development.
BELGIUM
Number of scientists Number of projects/topics
NORWAY
Number of scientists Number of projects/topics 18 15
belgium
94 76
Norw
ay
TOTAL
143 127
DENMARK
la
SWITZERLAND
Sw itz
De
Au
nm
ar
3 3
er
nd
Ireland
ia str
AUSTRIA
IRELAND
4 3
10
earth observation
earth observation
Highlights of 2009 included the launches of two Earth Explorer missions, GOCE and SMOS, and the start of the Climate Change Initiative a new ESA programme that will capitalise on Earth observation data collected by ESA Member States and support the global effort to understand climate change.
International Charter Space and major Disasters

The International Charter Space and Major Disasters was invoked 39 times in 2009 to provide Earth observation data for two relief agencies responding to natural disasters worldwide. ESA provided more than 170 ERS and Envisat crisis-mapping and assessment products for use in rescue operations and post-disaster management. Major events included Typhoon Ketsana, which hit Southeast Asia in September, followed within weeks by Typhoon Parma. The resulting heavy rainfall and floods affected nearly 10 million people in the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Envisats Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (ASAR) data were especially well-suited to delivering information on flood extent for these cases. In the same month, Padang, the capital of West Sumatra province in Indonesia, was badly hit by a 7.9 magnitude earthquake. These events, together with a series of wildfires in Greece and the Canary Islands and around 20 significant floods worldwide, were among the main disasters triggering Charter activation in 2009.
Global monitoring for Environment and Security (GmES)

GMES is the most complex and ambitious Earth observation programme to date with the goal of delivering operational information services for environment and security in five main areas: land, marine, atmosphere, emergency response and security. The overall programme and the Services Component are led by the European Commission while ESA has the role of coordinating the GMES Space Component.
Canary Island fires Main elements that build up the complex Earth System
Earth Observation
Following the Sixth Space Council in May, ESA and the European Commission began consultation with EU and ESA Member States owning space infrastructure to discuss long-term data procurement and financial aspects related to data for land monitoring, emergency response and security. The security part of GMES started, through dedicated studies, to assess potential space infrastructure needs and the relevant concepts of operation based on existing EU policy documents. Contract negotiations with all GMES Contributing Mission operators were finalised and signed.
The bottom-up Critical Design Review (CDR) process (from equipment to system) and the launcher procurement were initiated. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ESA and DLR for the in-kind provision, by DLR, of a laser communication terminal was signed in June. After the catastrophic earthquake in LAquila (during which the plant manufacturing the transmit/receive modules was destroyed), a recovery plan was put in place to allow the resumption of activities at the end of the year, thus minimising the impact on the overall schedule leading to launch in 2012.
Sentinel-1
Sentinel-1 is a two-satellite system, each carrying a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) in C-band to ensure continuity of radar observations initiated with ERS-1/2 and continued by Envisat ASAR. Weighing about 2.3 tons, the first spacecraft (Sentinel-1A) is scheduled for launch at the end of 2012 and the second in 201415. Each is designed for a seven-year lifetime with consumables for 12 years of operation. The rider to the Sentinel-1 contract covering the development of the two spacecraft was signed with industry in December.
Sentinel-2
Sentinel-2 is an optical multispectral mission providing continuity and further development of the SPOT/Landsat missions. The system is based on two satellites flying in the same Sun-synchronous orbit with a separation of 180 degrees and a very wide ground swath (290 km) providing a 5-day revisit time. The payload instrument has a versatile set of 13 spectral bands ranging from VNIR to SWIR with a range of spatial resolutions of between 10 m and 60 m.
One of the Sentinel-1 satellites
14
Annual Report 2009
The Sentinel-2 programme was enlarged to cover the development of the second satellite, via a contract rider with industry allowing the deployment of a fully operational twin satellite system by around 2016. Agreement was reached on the addition of a laser communication terminal to the satellite payloads. Activity in 2009 was dedicated to industrial procurement actions. A number of Demonstration and Engineering Models were developed for the ambitious payload instrument. The Sentinel-2 Ground Segment Requirement Review was held, and the satellite to ground interfaces for command and control and mission data recovery were fully defined. Sentinel-2A launch is scheduled for mid-2013.
Sentinel-3
Sentinel-3 is a low-Earth-orbit operational system providing frequent global, near-real-time ocean, ice and land monitoring. Two operational satellites will provide a one-day (land) and two-day (ocean) revisit time, each carrying an optical payload comprising the Ocean and Land Colour Instrument (OLCI), the Sea and Land Surface Temperature
Sentinel-2
Sentinel-3
15
Earth Observation
Radiometer (SLSTR) and a microwave payload including a SAR Radar Altimeter (SRAL) and a two-frequency Microwave Radiometer (MWR). 2009 saw the execution of the lower-level Preliminary Design Reviews (PDRs) and the closure of PDR actions. The detailed design phase culminated in the first set of lower-level CDRs. In parallel, the selection of the lower-level subcontractors through the Best Practices procurement process lasted all year. The contract for the second Sentinel-3 satellite (Sentinel-3B) was placed, and the industrial activities for the production of the two satellites were merged into a single programme. The Sentinel-3 Ground Segment Requirements Review was held in early 2009, resulting in the start of the Ground Segment procurement process by the end of the year. Preliminary compatibility analyses with two potential launchers (Vega and Rockot) have been performed. Launch of the first Sentinel-3 satellite is scheduled for 2013.
Remote sensing missions in operation

Envisat
Envisat continued to perform stably overall throughout the year, with the exception of an anomaly with the GOMOS instrument in the spring. Risks to ERS-2 and Envisat due to debris from the collision in February between the Iridium 33 and Cosmos 2251 satellites remained limited thanks to excellent support from surface-based defence radar, but the situation required constant attention. The many scientific results obtained, such as the observation of the break-up of the Wilkins ice shelf, had a substantial media impact. Data from Envisat and ERS-2 were also used in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in central Italy in April. Activities related to the adaptation of all Envisat mission elements to the new orbital parameters began in view of the October 2010 timeframe; this is when the satellite will be lowered by about 17 km. Thereafter, all applications will be possible except for SAR interferometry. This orbital change is a prerequisite to extending Envisats lifetime. The three-year extension of the Envisat mission was approved by the Earth Observation Programme Board in May.
Sentinel-5 Precursor
The Sentinel-5 Precursor mission will be implemented in cooperation between ESA and the Netherlands. It consists of a single-satellite atmospheric chemistry mission accommodating the TROPOMI payload as an in-kind contribution by the Netherlands Space Office (NSO) to measure the main tropospheric pollutants and two major climate gases (tropospheric ozone and methane). The agreement between ESA and the NSO was signed in 2009. The Invitation to Tender for the satellite was issued in mid-2009. Phase-A/B1 of the satellite system is planned to start in the second quarter of 2010 and will last for one year. Phase-B of the TROPOMI payload (under the management of NSO) will conclude in early 2011. Launch of the satellite is planned for the end of 2014.
ERS-2
The ERS-2 mission reached 14 years of operational activity in April. Despite its age, the satellite continued to perform well within specification. Platform and instruments were performing nominally except for ATSR-2, which ceased its operations. The second ERS-2/Envisat SAR interferometry tandem campaign, considered very valuable by users, was flown in the first half of the year. The experimental virtual archive continued to work satisfactorily, ensuring fast and easy download of archived SAR data, in particular for SAR interferometry analysis of the LAquila earthquake. A third ERS-2/Envisat SAR interferometry tandem campaign was under preparation for early 2010.
Sentinel data policy

Access to Sentinel data is governed by the Sentinel Data Policy, which is formulated within the framework of a wider GMES data and information access policy. The principles of this policy have been defined by ESA and the European Commission and were approved by ESA Member States in September.1 The principles propose free and open access to Sentinel data for the widest possible user community.
1
On the EU side, approval is expected to be obtained in the course of 2010 under the co-decision process involving the European Parliament and EU Council.
Envisat view of the break-up of the Wilkins ice shelf
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Annual Report 2009
meteorological missions in operation

MetOp
The three MetOp polar-orbiting meteorological satellites, developed by ESA, constitute the space segment of the Eumetsat Polar System. Eumetsat is responsible for the ground segment development and system operations. It represents the European contribution to a cooperative venture with the USA aimed at improving weather forecasting and monitoring our climate. MetOp-A completed its third year of operations with data from 11 instruments offering unrivalled accuracy and resolution of different variables such as temperature and humidity, wind speed, ozone and measurements of trace gases. Only the HRPT (High Rate Picture Transmission) is operated using a restricted, zone-based scenario, avoiding high ion and proton fluxes. The satellite has continued to be in good health and instrument performance remains excellent. As MetOp-A should be capable of continuing its mission beyond the specified six-year lifetime, the MetOp-B launch could be postponed until spring 2012.
MetOp
MSG
Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) is a continuation and substantial enhancement of the previous Meteosat system. It consists of a series of four geostationary meteorological satellites (MSG-1 to MSG-4), to be operated until at least 2021 under the responsibility of Eumetsat, providing continuous imagery of Earths atmosphere, clouds and surface to aid weather forecasting in Europe, Africa and neighbouring countries. It also provides valuable data for climate monitoring. MSG-1 (Meteosat-8) completed its nominal design life of seven years. Since May 2008, Meteosat-8 has been performing rapid scan services (one image over a reduced area every five minutes) interrupted only by maintenance activities or to provide back-up for MSG-2. The satellite is in good health and instrument performance is still excellent. Based on fuel computations, the remaining useful life is at least 10 years. MSG-2 (Meteosat-9) completed its fourth year in orbit. It is Eumetsats nominal operational satellite at 0 longitude, performing the full-disc imaging mission (one picture every 15 minutes in 12 spectral channels) with Meteosat-8 as its back-up. The satellite remains in very good health, and instrument performance remains excellent. Owing to the good state of MSG-1/2, the Eumetsat Council decided to postpone the launch of MSG-3 and MSG-4 until 2012 and 2014 respectively. Both satellites are in storage at Thales Alenia Space in Cannes.
MSG
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Earth Observation
meteorological missions in preparation

MTG
The Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) satellites, developed in cooperation with Eumetsat, will ensure continuity of operational meteorological and climate data from geostationary orbit after completion of the ongoing MSG mission. The MTG-I (Imager) provides enhanced visible and near-infrared imagery and a new Lightning Imager; the MTG-S (Sounder) provides a new infrared sounding capability from geostationary orbit and will also accommodate the Sentinel-4 UVN spectrometer. Unlike their predecessors, the MTG satellites are based on a common three-axis stabilised platform. During the first half of 2009, MTG activities were focused on the implementation of parallel Phase-B1 studies, and the preparation of the MTG Phase-B2/C/D Invitation to Tender. The Phase-B1 activities brought about a thorough consolidation and appreciation of the critical requirements for MTG developments in consultation with both industrial teams, and a final iteration of their respective baseline designs. Two industrial bids were received in early October for evaluation by ESA with a view to a selection being submitted for IPC approval in the second quarter of 2010.
Post-EPS
The preparatory activities at Phase-0 level of the post-EPS mission for Eumetsat continued in the course of the year with two parallel system studies at Phase-0 level and a number of supporting activities devoted to sensor technologies. The system studies both concluded with two possible options for the implementation of the Post-EPS space segment. The Mission Definition Review, marking the end of Phase-0, was held by Eumetsat in December. It was recommended to consolidate the payload complement and the space segment configuration prior to the start of Phase-A. This consolidation proceeded through 2009.
MTG
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Annual Report 2009
Earth Explorer missions in operation

GOCE
The Gravity Field and Steady State Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) mission is the first of the Earth Explorer Core Missions planned as part of ESAs Earth Observation Envelope Programme (EOEP). It is designed to provide unique models of Earths gravity field and of the geoid on a global scale and with unprecedented accuracy and spatial resolution. GOCE was launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia on 17 March. Making use of the exceptionally low atmospheric drag conditions due to a delayed onset of the next solar cycle, the operational altitude could be lowered to 255 km. The achievement of this altitude in mid-September marked the formal start of GOCEs scientific operations with the ground segment also fully operational. A first complete mapping of Earth has already been achieved. This continuous data set of 61 days sampling the gravitational field of Earth at 1 Hz will be processed into GOCEs first gravity model and geoid.
GOCE launch
goce
Geodesy
Oceanography
Earth-interior process
GOCE to map gravity as never before
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Earth Observation
SMOS
The Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) mission will observe two key variables of the Earth system from space, namely soil moisture content over land surfaces and the amount of salt dissolved in the ocean. SMOS is a cooperative project between ESA, CNES (FR) and CDTI (ES). Launch of the SMOS spacecraft took place on 2 November, achieving a very accurate injection of both SMOS and its co-passenger, Proba-2. Control was taken over by the CNES Satellite Operations Ground Segment, and resulted in a flawless Launch and Early Orbit Phase including all deployments. Since then, instrument and data processor calibration has been progressing nominally. The instrument is operating well and first look data points towards excellent performance: the Ground Data Processor at ESAC, Spain, is operating well; in this phase the data distribution is limited to the Calibration/Validation team.
SMOS launch
Earth Explorer missions in preparation

ADM-Aeolus
ADM-Aeolus will provide the first measurements of wind profiles from space. These data are expected to substantially advance numerical weather prediction, especially when applied to extreme weather events. Steady progress was made in addressing the challenging issue of laser-induced contamination in the Power Laser Head and the ALADIN instrument transmit path. Successful implementation of countermeasures allowed the laser Engineering Model to be operated for two weeks in flightrepresentative conditions. Highly sensitive tests performed after this test phase confirmed the total absence of laserinduced contamination. Further detailed investigations were performed to determine the root cause of a small residual energy degradation. A good understanding of this loss mechanism was obtained and corrective actions began to be implemented in the laser Flight Model. A dedicated platform qualification review confirmed the successful completion of the ADM-Aeolus platform verification and qualification programme.
ADM-Aeolus
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Annual Report 2009
CryoSat
CryoSat-2 will measure the changes in ice thickness in the cryosphere. For the ice sheets of Antarctica and Greenland this will enable an accurate assessment of changes in mass balance and for floating sea-ice it will, in combination with measurements of sea-ice extent, provide the first estimation of the real change in sea-ice volume. By May, CryoSat-2 had been removed from storage and the environmental test campaign resumed. All test and other system tasks were completed by the end of the third quarter, and the satellite was placed into its transport container for storage before shipment to the launch site in early 2010. By the end of the year, all satellite and ground segment reviews had been completed and the simulations campaign at ESOC was in full swing awaiting the start of the launch campaign.
Swarm
Swarm is designed to provide the best ever survey of the geomagnetic field and its temporal evolution, improving our understanding of the Earths interior and its effect on geospace, the vast region around Earth where electrodynamic processes are influenced by Earths magnetic field. Phase-C/D and manufacturing of the three satellites progressed with completion of the Critical Design Review at system level, testing of the satellite structural model, delivery of the first two structures equipped with the cold-gas propulsion system and delivery of the satellite Flight Model units. Launcher procurement was initiated following a competitive tender and Eurockot selected to launch the three Swarm satellites in a single launch. The planned launch date is mid-2011.
Swarm
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Earth Observation
EarthCARE
EarthCARE, ESAs Cloud, Aerosol and Radiation Explorer, is a joint mission in collaboration with JAXA aimed at providing a better understanding of clouds and aerosols and their impact on Earths climatology. The satellite will carry a payload of four instruments: an atmospheric lidar (ATLID), a Cloud Profiling Radar instrument (CPR) provided by JAXA, a Multispectral Imager (MSI) and a Broad-band Radiometer (BBR). The EarthCARE Systems Requirement Review took place in early 2009 and confirmed the overall spacecraft configuration. Instrument PDRs were held in the summer for the BBR, MSI and for the CPR. The ATLID PDR was delayed to allow the detailing of a bistatic instrument design developed to overcome the problem of the laserinduced contamination encountered in the ADM-Aeolus programme. The EarthCARE system PDR took place in the autumn. Noting the planned ATLID instrument evolution from a monostatic to a bistatic concept, it was requested that further detail of the configuration and performance be provided at the ATLID PDR in 2010.
Earthnet
The Earthnet programme has, for over 32 years, provided long-term sustainability beyond normal programmatic funding periods. Through Earthnet, ESA manages access to Earth observation data from around 30 different non-ESA missions and instruments. ESA is acting as the ALOS Data European Node (ADEN) for the Japanese ALOS (Advanced Land Observing Satellite) mission and has, throughout the year, increased the number of scientific user projects to more than 350. New Third Party Mission (TPM) agreements have been implemented with the result that, for instance, GOSAT atmospheric data are now available to users. Further agreements and improvements of access to the Third Party Missions (e.g. with an illustrated 60-page TPM Data Access Guide) were put in place. The agreement with Spot Image for the SPOT satellites and with the Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) for the Odin satellite were extended to provide research users continued access to a variety of Earth observation data. Proba as part of the Earthnet programme is running successfully and, having entered its ninth operational year in 2009, has now served more than 200 scientific projects.
Seventh Earth Explorer mission

The year started with the User Consultation Meeting in Lisbon where the Mission Assessment Reports summarising the scientific, technical and programmatic evaluation of the six candidate missions at Phase-0 level were presented. This event was followed by the recommendation by the Earth Science Advisory Committee to select BIOMASS, CoReH20 and PREMIER for Phase-A level study. This selection was approved by the Earth Observation Programme Board in February. Tenders for two parallel Phase-A studies for each of the selected candidate missions were issued in July. Mission advisory groups were established to support preparation of the Mission Requirements Documents and definition of scientific support activities. The evaluation of proposals for the Phase-A system studies was completed in December and the 15-month studies will start in early 2010.
Climate Change Initiative

In 2009, ESA launched its Climate Change Initiative with a view to capitalising on the Earth observation data archives built up by ESA Member States over the last 30 years, and delivering long-term records of essential climate variables to support the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. This new ESA programme is part of the coordinated international response of CEOS (Committee on Earth Observation Satellites) space agencies to the requirements for the Global Climate Observing System. Major efforts were devoted to consulting with the international science community and coordinating with European and international partners, particularly via CEOS. A dedicated Climate Science Advisory Body was set up to provide ESA with independent guidance on the needs and priorities of the international climate research community. One immediate result was the creation of a Climate Modelling User Group to ensure an integrated climate focus for this six-year programme. The first Climate Change Initiative tender was issued in November, and a series of parallel three-year projects addressing a first group of 11 Essential Climate Variables will start in mid-2010.
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Annual Report 2009
Service development, international cooperation and education

ESA programmes supported European industry demonstrations of potential Earth observation-based services for international development projects funded by multinational financing organisations, including the World Bank and European Investment Bank. The initial demonstrations brought requests from those organisations to explore European Earth observation services relevant to a broader portfolio of projects. ESA continued to promote the use of Earth observation in support of international multilateral environmental agreements, including UN Conventions. This success is well illustrated by the GlobWetland II project, which establishes a Global Wetlands Observing System to support the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. ESA launched a new initiative for young Earth observation scientists, the Changing Earth Science Network, to support leading-edge postdoctoral research projects that will maximise the use of ESA Earth observation mission data to address strategic scientific challenges. A first group of young scientists was selected. On the operational front, ESA continued work with user organisations in Member States and with the European Commission to prepare sustainable Earth observationbased information services for GMES. ESA-developed
services for atmospheric monitoring, rapid mapping in response to disasters, and flood and forest-fire risk assessment were successfully transferred into the EU GMES service development framework. The ESA GMES Services Element will further develop sustainable GMES monitoring services for tropical forests, polar zones, food security, geo-hazards and European coastal water quality in the next three years. Services for Maritime Security are also being developed in collaboration with the European Commission (DG-JLS, DG-MARE), international agencies (EMSA, Frontex, NATO) and national user organisations (coastguards, navies, border guards). The new Support to Science and Exploitation Element (STSE) is enabling the European Earth observation community to strengthen its contribution to international science programmes. A series of new STSE research projects are focusing on the unique scientific contributions of ESA Earth observation missions in this context.
Sea-surface temperature anomaly data from the UK Met Offices Hadley Centre
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Earth Observation
COP15
During the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP15 Copenhagen Climate Change Conference in December, attended by 120 Heads of State and Government, the contribution of ESA Earth observation programmes to systematic monitoring of the global climate system was very much in evidence. A public exhibit spotlighting the CryoSat mission was on display in the centre of Copenhagen during the two weeks of the conference, and dedicated side events on Earth observation and climate were held at the conference centre. The decisions taken at COP15 confirmed the importance of space agencies coordinated efforts through GEO/CEOS for the Global Climate Observing System and for Forest Carbon Tracking in support of the new REDD (reducing emissions from deforestation) policy measures.
International cooperation/education
The Dragon 2 programme focuses on the joint exploitation of ESA and Chinese Earth observation mission data. There are over 400 scientists from 165 European and Chinese research institutes involved in the 25 selected joint research projects. The 2009 Dragon 2 Symposium was held in Barcelona and saw some 170 scientists presenting early results and high-level scientific publications. The Earth observation exploitation team organised three large symposia for consultation, reporting and scientific exchange by Earth observation principal investigators (Atmospheric Science in Barcelona, OceanObs in Venice and Fringe in Frascati), which were attended by some 1400 participants, with 1000 papers submitted to ESA for special publications. ESA, in collaboration with UNESCO, the Canadian Space Agency and the African Water Facility, launched the second phase of the TIGER initiative. TIGER aims to support African institutions in enhancing integrated water resource management by exploiting the advantages of Earth observation technology. ESA has selected 20 African-led projects involving 14 African countries. Those projects will be supported with dedicated training, data, tools and a dedicated capacity building plan. The ESA multilingual Earth observation website Eduspace has been enriched with content on a range of new themes including the cryosphere, volcanoes and tectonics. The website is now also available in Greek. A handover to JAXA is expected in 2010 so that they can begin creating a Japanese version. A number of educational activities were also performed in PECS (Plan for European Cooperating States) countries and outside Europe, the latter in cooperation with UNESCO and UNOOSA.
Sea-level rise in the Netherlands
This image of wind fields over Denmark and northern Germany was shown at the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen on 13 December. The wind fields are derived from Envisat radar observations. It was in the short film Environmental Atlas of Europe, one of series showing the significance of environmental change depicted in stunning satellite images through the years and the different ways people are responding to these changes
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telecommunications & integrated applications
telecommunications & integrated applications

The European space industry could not exist without a healthy satellite telecommunications industry, which accounts for over 60% of the total satellite industry turnover and about 90% of commercial launches. Satcoms provide more than 200 000 jobs directly and indirectly to highly qualified European citizens.
2009 was a good year for the global satcom industry but especially for Europe, with European industry receiving nine full satellite orders and three additional orders for payloads. This represents a share of more than 30% of the total number of orders placed globally in the year and an even higher share of their value. Further, European operators ordered eight geostationary satellites in the same period, representing a 27% market share. It was also a good year for ESAs Telecommunications and Integrated Applications Directorate, seeing the continuation of the ongoing elements, consolidation of the main satellite programmes and the planned initiation of new systems. This was accompanied by a reorganisation of the Directorate.
At the same time, however, European satcoms are facing fierce competition from the USA, particularly with regard to the most sophisticated systems (the USA benefits from a large, aggregated commercial market and from a captive Department of Defense market), as well as from emerging space powers such as China and India. ESAs ARTES telecommunications programmes responded to this evolving market situation by supporting industry and operators as they strive to maintain their competitive position: 117 contracts and 65 Contract Change Notices for a total value of 160.8 million were placed under the various ARTES elements. ARTES programmes support research and development of new technologies, development of innovative systems, products and services and their qualification and demonstration. Several public partnerships, established with operators and industry, are proceeding towards the carrying out of missions to prove advanced satellites and payloads in orbit. The Integrated Applications Promotion (IAP) programme is developing a range of new applications using different space assets, in partnership with stakeholders and user communities on a regional, national and international scale.
Industry overview
The satcom industry remained in a good condition, with the financial crisis and economic recession having little impact so far. However, there might be a delayed impact if the recession continues and there was also concern that reductions in government spending could have an impact on the government satcom market. Broadcasting remains the major revenue stream in the satcom industry and interactive broadband services took off impressively, particularly in the USA. Mobile services, especially through European-based Inmarsat, provide a healthy market.
Mobile services, especially through the European-based Inmarsat, provide a healthy market for the satcom industry (Thrane & Thrane)
Telecommunications & Integrated Applications
Highlights
Technology
ESA support for the various areas of technological development in satellite communication systems has continued. This has addressed all aspects, notably payload development, mainly on general flexible payload and advanced processor systems, platform development for a wide range of product lines, and various ground segment products. A total of 55 equipment development contracts accounting for 64.8 million were placed under the rules of ARTES 3, 4 or subsequently, ARTES 3/4. Also, 31 Contract Change Notices (CCNs) were placed for a value of 17.7 million on these elements. 41 activities were undertaken under ARTES 5.1 and 5.2 for a value of 25 million. 25 CCNs were also placed on ARTES 5 activities for a value of 4.1 million.
Alphabus/Alphasat
Alphabus is the ESA programme to develop, in cooperation with CNES, the next generation of large platforms for telecommunications satellites. Alphabus development is complemented by the Alphasat programme, which uses the Alphabus Proto Flight Model platform for the flight opportunity in partnership with Inmarsat.
The Repeater Module structure in Turin (Thales Alenia Space)
The Alphabus Service Module ready for shipment (Thales Alenia Space)
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Annual Report 2009
Most Alphabus critical units were qualified, including the large propellant tank, the solar array, the power system regulator, the on-board computer, the newly developed gyroscope and star tracker, the central tube, the plasma propulsion motor and most chemical propulsion items. The Alphabus mechanical Service Module was assembled in Cannes and shipped to Toulouse, where it will undergo further integration. In parallel, the Repeater Module structure was assembled and equipped with thermal control hardware and electrical harness in Turin, from where it will be shipped to Portsmouth for Alphasat payload integration during 2010. The Alphasat Critical Design Review process confirmed that all system aspects are in line with the Alphasat mission. Development of the Inmarsat and ESA Technology Demonstration payloads equipment is ongoing. The launch contract for Alphasat was agreed with Arianespace for an Ariane 5 launch in 2012.
Hispasat signed two major contracts for the implementation of the Hispasat Advanced Generation satellite using the Small GEO platform. OHB-System signed up as the prime contractor for the entire satellite. The second contract assigned the responsibility for the REDSAT payload to a team led by Thales Alenia Space Espaa. The payload accommodation and thermal subsystem design made good progress. The Mission Preliminary Design Review is planned for March 2010.
Hylas
Hylas is a Ka-band satellite optimised to provide interactive broadband services. Its unique multi-spot beam system architecture incorporates a `General Flexible Payload` technology that allows the flexible assignment of satellite resources (bandwidth and power) to each spot as a function of the traffic requirements. The payload has been developed by Astrium Ltd with a platform supplied by Antrix (the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organization). The project has been developed in partnership with the satellite operator Avanti. The communications payload was completed and tested in Portsmouth and, in November, was shipped for its final integration with the platform in Bangalore. It is currently undergoing satellite integration tests. Hylas is expected to be launched in summer 2010.
Small GEO
The Small GEO programme is developing and qualifying a small geostationary satellite platform. This platform will then be equipped with a payload, launched and operated by Hispasat. A Structure Consolidation Review was held in July and followed by a large number of Equipment Qualification Status Reviews. This sequence of reviews culminated in the Platform Qualification Status Review, which was held at the end of 2009.
Small GEO
Hylas
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Telecommunications & Integrated Applications
EDRS
The European Data Relay Satellite programme (EDRS) will develop and deploy a data relay satellite system that will allow real-time communication with low Earth orbit satellites and other spacecraft. The system baseline consists of satellite elements in geostationary orbit and the associated ground segment. The programme will be implemented in partnership with an operator/service provider that will operate the system and provide services to ESA and to other user communities. Within ESA, the GMES programme was the first to commit to its use for Sentinel-1 and -2. Several operators/service providers have expressed interest in establishing a partnership with ESA for EDRS. Three Phase-A studies with candidate operators were completed at the end of 2009. The technical, programmatic and financial feasibility of the system concept was assessed and initial technical solutions were defined. Agreements were established for the availability under guaranteed conditions of a key technology for EDRS: a Laser Communication Terminal, which enables high data rates between low Earth orbit and geostationary satellites.
Iris
The future European Air Traffic Management (ATM) system is currently being defined by the Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR) programme. Iris, Element 10 of the ARTES Programme, is dedicated to developing a new air-to-ground communication system for Air Traffic Management as the satellite-based communication solution for the SESAR programme. Following the completion of Phase 1 in early 2009, involving several industrial studies dedicated to assessing the feasibility of the concept and preliminary analysis of its features, ESA has undertaken Phase 2.1, which addresses the in-depth design and development of the system. This design involves the definition of a new air-to-ground communication standard, the required space segment, ground segment and user terminals, as well as the mechanisms for end-to-end system integration and system validation. The contract related to this activity began in November.
Integrated Applications Promotion (IAP)

The IAP programme develops applications utilising different space assets in partnership with stakeholders and user communities on a regional, national or international scale. The FlySafe pre-operational project (http://public.flysafe. sara.nl) is a good illustration of this. The IAP programme is organised around two main elements: Awareness and feasibility activities included the establishment of Ambassador Platforms within several European countries, a dedicated web portal and the initiation of more than a dozen feasibility projects in the fields of health, safety, transport, energy and development. Demonstration activities: four new demonstration projects were initiated, in the fields of health (Telemedicine for Medical Operations in Distant Areas and Real-time Satellite-based Telemedicine Service), energy (Space Grid) and agriculture (Talking Fields: Integrative Use of Satellite Techniques to Optimise Agricultural Production). ESA and the European Commission initiated Satellite-based Automatic Identification System (SAT-AIS) system studies with the full range of European actors. The AIS provides identification and location information to vessels and shore stations for collision avoidance and ship-monitoring services. With SAT-AIS data, the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) will be able to enhance the services currently provided to the community.
The EDRS system
The Iris system
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galileo & navigation-related activities
galileo & navigation-related activities

Some of the highlights were GIOVE-A and GIOVE-B completing three years and one year of operations respectively, Galileo ground and satellite infrastructure development progressing towards a first launch in 2010 and the introduction of a whole set of new navigation technologies under the GNSS Evolution Programme.
Galileo GIOVE-A and -b

On 12 January, GIOVE-A completed three years of successful operations. Having largely surpassed its design lifetime, and given the lack of redundancy of the telemetry transmitter, it was decided to reposition the GIOVE-A spacecraft in its graveyard orbit and then resume payload operations with transmission in the L1/ E5 bands until end-of-life. On 28 April, GIOVE-B entered its second year of operations. Some anomalies were detected and corrected, thus maintaining continuous signal transmission. The Galileo Control Segment (GCS) and Galileo Mission Segment (GMS) made substantial progress in deployment and integration of GCS facilities in the DLR control centre at Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, and GMS facilities in the Telespazio control centre, Fucino, Italy. In parallel, the preparation and deployment of TTC, ULS, GSS and IOT ground stations proceeded at the various sites worldwide.
Galileo In-Orbit Validation (IOV)

Two major review processes were carried out in the IOV phase: the System Review and the Satellite Critical Design Review. These reviews froze the IOV system design and plans for assembly, integration, validation and operations, and the satellite design and assembly, integration and test plans, leading to the Qualification and Acceptance Review planned for the third quarter of 2010.
The fairing of GIOVE-A, the first Galileo test satellite in orbit. GIOVE-A was moved to a higher graveyard orbit to ensure that it does not cross the operational Galileo constellation orbits for more than 100 years The Galileo Control Segment (GCS) facilities at the DLR control centre, Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany
Galileo & Navigation-related Activities
IOV satellite activities proceeded with the Engineering Model payload testing and platform integration. The first System Validation Test involving real-time connectivity between the satellite integration site and the ground control centre was carried out. Critical issues were analysed in depth and work-around solutions agreed. The satellite launch schedule remains very critical, requiring very close supervision from ESA and collaboration with the satellite prime contractor.
Galileo Full Operational Capability (FOC)

Under the EC/ESA Delegation Agreement that entered into force on 19 December 2008, the European Community delegates to ESA the role of system prime, design and procurement agent relating to the FOC deployment.
The site of the Galileo ground station at Kourou in French Guiana was inaugurated on 19 November 2009, in the presence of Ren Oosterlinck, ESA Director of the Galileo Programme and Navigation-related Activities, and Jol Barre, Director of CNES/CSG (ESA/CNES/Arianespace/Photo Optique Video CSG/P. Baudon)
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Annual Report 2009
The Galileo Mission Segment (GMS) facilities at the Telespazio control centre, Fucino, Italy
FOC procurement is now well advanced with the Dialogue Phase being completed for the system support, satellites and launch services. Contractors were selected with the contract signature planned for the beginning of 2010. The procurement process for the other activities will take place in 2010.
place in March. The Review Board agreed on the satisfactory status of the programme and qualification of EGNOS V2.2 was declared successful. Implementation of EGNOS V2.3 activities was performed and the Critical Design Review was closed out in March. The new communication network technology was qualified as a satisfactory alternative to replace frame relay technology. The EGNOS V2.3 test campaign was completed and the System Qualification Review completed. With the conclusion of the EGNOS V2.3 review, ARTES-9 activities are nearly completed with the remaining actions in a well-defined closeout plan.
EGNOS
Availability of the EGNOS operational signal has been very good and above the 99% target since the beginning of 2008. The Final Development Completion Review together with the Operation Qualification Review for system release V2.2 took
The Galileo IOV Engineering Model satellite payload undergoing integration at EADS Astrium, Portsmouth, UK (Astrium)
Antennas for the Galileo IOV Engineering Model satellite under test in the anechoic chamber at EADS Astrium, Portsmouth, UK (Astrium)
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Galileo & Navigation-related Activities
The formal transfer of EGNOS assets to the European Community took place on 1 April, with the EC/ESA Delegation Agreement on the further implementation of EGNOS and the associated Programme Management Plan entering into force the same day. According to this agreement, the European Community delegates to ESA the tasks of design and procurement; in particular, the design, specification and validation activities required for constant improvement of the system and the management of obsolescence, and also the associated industrial procurement activities.
GNSS Evolution Programme

The majority of the system architecture studies are almost complete. Though one of these retains the basic principles of the current Galileo architecture, a whole set of new technologies have been introduced, including onboard signal-in-space integrity monitoring, intersatellite ranging and digital beamforming for ground reference stations. The introduction of these technologies brings significant improvement in performance. The Multi-constellation Regional System (MRS) study by Thales Alenia Space France made progress with the definition of a baseline design, combining ground integrity (GIC) and receiver integrity (RAIM) functionalities. The MRS study by Indra (ES) entered the experimentation phase in which a number of scenarios will be tested in the laboratory prototypes developed for liability-critical and high-precision applications. The Critical Design phase for the development of the System Platform for EGNOS Evolutions and Demonstrations (SPEED) was completed. One of the two developments of the next-generation Ranging and Integrity Monitoring Station (RIMS), to be used with SPEED, completed the requirements review, in which the RIMS capabilities and interface to SPEED were baselined. The other contract was slightly behind due to a change in the industrial team. The development of the Navigation Land-Earth Station (NLES) L1/L5 prototype for long-loop technologies had its Critical Design Review, and the contractor moved to the design stage focusing on procurement of the hardware and development of the software. The final reviews were completed on the parallel projects for assessment of the use of C-band for GNSS. Both studies concluded that a system using the current allocation (501030 MHz) is feasible, despite the stringent out-of-band emissions. On clock development activities, work on the miniaturised Passive Hydrogen Maser (PHM) proceeded as expected thus confirming the possibility of further optimising the current design used for Galileo. Work on the space caesium (Cs) clock breadboarding started with the preliminary design. The design of laser diodes, critical for the Cs clocks, was consolidated and breadboarding of critical items for the ground Cs clock prototype began.
Mr Antonio Tajani, European Commission Vice-President and Transport Commissioner, announced on 1 October the official start of operations for EGNOS, with the EGNOS Open Service now available (EC/G. Boulougouris)
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launchers
launchers
Seven Ariane 5 launches highlighted the launchers reliability, launcher development activities progressed towards the first Vega and Soyuz flights from Europes Spaceport in French Guiana, and the Ariane 5 Post-ECA and Future Launchers Preparatory Programmes both reached significant milestones.
The volume of activities performed, contracted and managed by ESA increased steadily in the last five years to reach a record level with payments in the order of 780 million in 2009, implementing decisions taken by ESA Member States since the 2003 Ministerial Conference.
Ariane
For Ariane, the highlight of the year was the launch of the ESA Herschel/Planck missions on 14 May, releasing both the Herschel far-infrared space telescope and the Planck cosmic background mapper on an escape trajectory towards a virtual point in space called L2. The final Ariane 5 GS mission, on 18 December, delivered the French military reconnaissance satellite Helios-2B into Sun-synchronous polar orbit. Five other Ariane 5 ECA launches carried a total of nine satellites into orbit, namely Hot Bird 10 and NSS-9 on 12 February; TerreStar 1, the heaviest and most powerful telecommunications satellite ever launched, on 1 July; JCSat-12 and Optus D3 on 22 August; Amazonas 2 and ComSatBw-1 on 1 October; and finally NSS-12 and Thor 6 on 29 October. After the maturation period performed in the Future Launchers Preparatory Programme (FLPP) with its hot-firing test results, improving modelling and upgrading testbenches, the Vinci engine entered the development phase as an upper stage of the Ariane ME configuration under the Ariane 5 Post-ECA Programme.
The seventh and last Ariane 5 flight of 2009, V193, used the last GS variant of the launcher to place the French Helios-2B satellite into orbit (ESA/CNES/ Arianespace - Optique vido du CSG/L. Boyer) Flight V188, the launch of Herschel and Planck in May 2009
In the ARTA Programme, which helps to maintain the qualification status of the Ariane 5 launch system during its exploitation, several major activities were carried out, including the Vulcain 2 ARTA8 test campaign with six tests performed out of seven, the last being scheduled for 2010, and the HM7B ARTA M1225 engine test campaign, which was completed in September.
Launchers
Flight V189 placed Terrestar 1, the heaviest and most powerful telecommunications satellite ever launched, into space
Flight V190 lifts off on its mission to place two telecommunications satellites, JCSat-12 and Optus D3, into orbit
Flight V192 was the sixth Ariane 5 launch of 2009, carrying the NSS-12 and Thor 6 satellites
Vega
Regarding launch-vehicle-related activities, the second test-firing of the Zefiro 9A solid rocket motor was performed in April in Sardinia. The main objectives of the test were to verify motor behaviour in a fully flightrepresentative configuration, to confirm the design performance and to collect information for stage-level system studies. The Z9 Qualification Steering Board was held in July. Concerning Zefiro 23 (qualified in 2008), the first article acceptance review was under preparation at the end of the year. Concerning P80, the Insulated Motor Case generic qualification tests were finalised in December with the last case-burst test; the Thrust Vector Control activities are complete. Launcher main systems and subsystems activities are ongoing with the successful qualification of the inter-stage 2/3. Following the successful AVUM stage-level firing test campaign (UCFire) in July, the payload adaptor, propellant tanks and liquid
Test-firing of the Zefiro 9A solid rocket motor at Salto di Quirra in Sardinia
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Annual Report 2009
propulsion system qualification reviews were completed. Vega ground segment activities entered their final phase with the final integration of various subsystems (mechanical, fluid and control centre). In February, the Vega Mobile Gantry also completed its first full-travel movement tests, checking both the moving system performance and the interfaces with the launch pad structures. December saw the signature of the framework contract for VERTA, providing for five Vega missions.
The Soyuz Launch System Critical Design Review started in May and the Steering Committee was held in December. For the Payload Preparation Facilities, S3B, the General Tests Acceptance Review was held in December, while the technical qualification campaign started in October with the first launch scheduled for the end of December 2010.
Soyuz at CSG
Preparations of the Soyuz launch site at Europes Spaceport, the Centre Spatial Guyanais (CSG), saw it change in appearance considerably in 2009, with all remaining Russian ground system equipment being delivered from January to June and successfully integrated. On the European side, final infrastructure acceptance was completed in November. In terms of activities related to the Mobile Gantry structure, authorisation to begin mounting activities was given in December and erection of the structure began. The first two launchers arrived in French Guiana in November.
View from inside the concrete flame trench, underneath the Soyuz launch platform at Kourou
The Vega Mobile Gantry at Kourou (ESA/CNES/Arianespace)
The Soyuz launch site takes shape at the Centre Spatial Guyanais, Kourou
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Launchers
Future Launchers Preparatory Programme (FLPP)

Development of the Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV)
Following the subscription at the Ministerial Council in 2008 of a specific sub-envelope within the FLPP for IXV reentry system development, the prime contractor was selected and the industrial organisation consolidated in line with the project geographic return involving European partners widely in their areas of competence. The vehicle Preliminary Design Review (PDR) was completed in early 2009, followed by the different subsystem PDRs. A consolidation of the technical baseline was then performed by the new industrial organisation. While preserving the experimental objectives of the vehicle, this also made it possible to streamline some subsystems and consequently to consolidate the development schedule. The Phase-C2 contract was placed and the procurement proposal for the full Phase-D was approved, thus providing the complete framework for this atmospheric reentry mission.
Preparation of the Next-Generation Launcher (NGL)

After the subscription of the second step of Period 2 of FLPP, a change in the procurement approach was put in place with the termination of the contracts with NGL Prime SpA. The new procurement approach includes direct contracts with technology development providers, enabling best value for money while keeping a systemdriven approach with a central role for the Agency and relying on frame contracts with existing launcher prime contractors. Significant progress was achieved in technical activities in the areas of system studies, liquid and solid propulsion as well as in technology development. In particular, major demonstrators passed their requirements reviews, one notable example being the Preliminary Requirements Review for the staged combustion High Thrust Engine Demonstrator, while development began of critical technologies for a reignitable cryogenic upper stage. In parallel with technology and demonstrator developments, launch system concept studies were resumed, following a converging process, with the selection of concepts towards preparation of the NGL.
Antonio Fabrizi (left), ESA Director of Launchers, signs the contract for the High Thrust Engine Demonstrator for the Next-Generation Launcher with the Joint Propulsion Team, a consortium composed of Avio SpA, Astrium GmbH and Snecma
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human spaceflight
human spaceflight
2009 was an important year for human spaceflight and, in particular, for the International Space Station. ESA carried out two successful missions, OasISS and Aliss, and ESA astronaut Frank De Winne became the first European commander of an ISS Expedition.
During the OasISS mission, a comprehensive European research programme was carried out with many experiments utilising the internal and external research facilities of the European Columbus laboratory. The ISS also reached an important international milestone when Expedition 20 inaugurated the Stations first six-person crew, and also marked the first time that a crew had represented all five ISS partners. During the Aliss mission, as part of the STS-128 crew, ESA astronaut Christer Fuglesang was in charge of operations involving the European-built Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) Leonardo and also performed two of the three key STS-128 spacewalks. STS-128 also delivered important hardware to the ISS such as the MELFI freezer and the ESA Material Science Laboratory (MSL). European human spaceflight activities can look forward to a bright future following the carrying out of a large number of human spaceflight and exploration projects and the selection of six new ESA astronaut candidates. Following a stringent selection process which began in May 2008, Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain and Director of Human Spaceflight Simonetta Di Pippo presented the new class of European astronauts on 20 May: Samantha Cristoforetti (IT), Alexander Gerst (DE), Andreas Mogensen (DK), Luca Parmitano (IT), Timothy Peake (UK) and Thomas Pesquet (FR).
In the course of the year, the first crew of the Mars500 studies, including two ESA participants, Oliver Knickel and Cyrille Fournier, completed their 105-day simulated Mars mission as part of a cooperative project between ESA and the Russian Institute for Biomedical Problems (IBMP), while preparations for the full 520-day mission in 2010/11 got under way. 2009 also marked 25 years of ESA participation in parabolic flight campaigns. During the 50th and 51st flights, several experiments were conducted in physical and life sciences.
ESA astronaut Christer Fuglesang during a spacewalk on the STS-128 flight Astronaut Frank De Winne gives a thumbs-up sign while helping ESA colleague Christer Fuglesang get ready for his first spacewalk on STS-128
Human Spaceflight
In addition, these parabolic flight campaigns, combined with the Texus-46 sounding rocket flight which took place in 2009, provided platforms for research that will be of service for future exploration missions.
Europes second Automated Transfer Vehicle, ATV Johannes Kepler, was delivered to EADS Astrium in Bremen in September in advance of its launch to the ISS in November 2010. Furthermore, in July, ESA signed the study contract for the Advanced Reentry Vehicle (ARV) Advanced Phase-A tasks. ARV will eventually provide ESA with the means to undertake complete space transportation missions.
Timothy Peake
Test pilot UK
Andreas Mogensen
Systems engineer DK
Alexander Gerst
Geophysicist DE
Luca Parmitano
Test pilot IT
Samantha Cristoforetti
Jet pilot IT ESAs new astronauts
Thomas Pesquet
Commercial pilot and engineer FR
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Annual Report 2009
The First EU/ESA International Conference on Human Space Exploration was held in Prague in October. The conference was a success, with Ministers and Delegates from the 29 ESA and EU Member States agreeing that exploration was a field in which Europe must act globally and aim for a long-term vision. In the development of technology and life-support capabilities for future missions, the ESA/CNES PHARAO (Projet dHorloge Atomique par Refroidissement dAtomes en Orbite) agreement was reached. The PHARAO agreement, signed on 15 December, paves the way for launch to the ISS of a high-accuracy Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space (ACES). The second-generation MELiSSA (Micro-Ecological Life Support System Alternative) Pilot Plant is an artificial ecosystem that could one day recycle waste products and supply essential food, water and oxygen to humans living on the surface of the Moon or Mars. In June, the Spanish Minister of Science and Innovation inaugurated the MELiSSA Pilot Plant in the Engineering School of University Autonoma of Barcelona. The laboratory is part of the ESA MELiSSA project and aims to be the sole facility in Europe for demonstration of Closed Loop Life Support Systems.
Left to right, Prof. Godia, MELiSSA pilot plant manager, with Spanish Minister of Science and Innovation, Cristina Garmendia, and ESA Director General, JeanJacques Dordain, at the inauguration of the MELiSSA plant
The first Mars500 crew leave the special isolation facility in Moscow on 14 July
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Human Spaceflight
The formal handover of Node-3 from ESA to NASA on 20 November completed the final major element of the barter agreement between ESA and NASA under which ESA provided Node-2 and -3 plus additional equipment and knowhow in return for transportation of the ESA Columbus laboratory to the ISS. Node-3 is also the connecting point for the European-built Cupola observation module, which enables the monitoring of robotic operations and observation of our planet. Once Node-3 and Cupola are attached to the ISS in February 2010, more than one third of the pressurised ISS elements will have been built in Europe. Looking towards future developments, ESA issued a Call for Ideas (Experiments for Global Climate Change on ISS) to gauge the interest in using the ISS as a platform to conduct research into global climate change. In parallel, there was an excellent response to the three ELIPS research solicitations (43 for ESA-AO-09, 29 for the Bedrest-AO, and 111 for ILSRA-09) as well as for the Lunar Lander Request for Information issued by the Agency in March. With these successes, ESA has also managed to reach out and inspire the younger generation. Several educational and promotional events were held, including Take your Classroom into Space. Educators throughout Europe were invited to propose ideas for experiments to be carried out on the ISS by Frank De Winne to demonstrate the effects of freefall to European students.
Bernardo Patti, ESAs ISS Programme Manager, and Michael Suffredini, NASAs ISS Programme Manager, sign the handover agreement for Node-3
Node-3 was officially handed over from ESA to NASA in November
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Annual Report 2009
Space infrastructure development and exploitation

ATV follow-on production
Following the flawless mission of ESAs first Automated Transfer Vehicle, ATV Jules Verne, ESA has already contracted industry to produce four more ATVs to be flown by 2015. Production of ESAs second ATV, named Johannes Kepler after the German astronomer and mathematician, is nearing completion and is set for launch readiness at the end of 2010. ATV-3 equipment procurement was initiated and is proceeding without any particular problems for an ATV-3 launch provisionally set for the end of 2011.
Utilisation
The principal focus of European ISS utilisation was the Columbus laboratory together with the external payloads (SOLAR and EuTEF). ISS Increment 18 concluded on 8 April with a wide variety of scientific activities and promising results (3D-Space, DEBIE-2, EuTemp, Expose, Geoflow, Immuno, SOLACES, SOLO, SOLSPEC and others). The Increment 19 experiment programme was completed on 29 May with a variety of human physiology and rack maintenance activities and the start of the protein crystallisation experiments in the Processing Unit of the Protein Crystallisation Diagnostic Facility, which was launched to the ISS in active mode on 15 March. The ISS Increment 20 experiment programme was completed on 11 October with the undocking of Soyuz TMA-14 (18S). A substantial number of the mission objectives were accomplished and a record of about 100 crew hours were used for European experiments in Columbus (Yeast, CARD, SOLO, DOSIS and 3D-Space among others). Following completion of the Increment 21 experiment programme and the excellent results obtained (physiology experiments, SODI-IVIDIL, MSL, etc.), Increment 22 got under way and will run until early April 2010. EuTEF and SOLAR continued to house experiments requiring exposure to the space environment. EuTEF was returned to Earth on the Space Shuttle Discovery in September for detailed analysis and evaluation of the space samples. The Expose-R payload was installed outside the Zvezda Service Module in March and has continued to function well. Expose-R comprises a suite of nine new astrobiology experiments (eight from ESA and one from IBMP, Moscow), some of which could aid understanding of how life survived harsh conditions in open space and may have originated on Earth.
ATV Johannes Kepler under construction at EADS Astrium in Bremen, Germany
Frank De Winne stores biological samples in MELFI in the Kibo laboratory
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Human Spaceflight
Astronauts
In August, it was announced that ESA astronaut Andr Kuipers will fly to the ISS for six months, starting at the end of 2011 as a member of Expedition 30/31, while ESA astronaut Roberto Vittori was assigned on an ASI flight opportunity as a Mission Specialist on the Space Shuttle STS-134 mission in 2010. Vittori and Paolo Nespoli are training for their planned missions in 2010. On 26 October, Kuipers started mission training for the ESA ISS increment in 2011 at NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston. Basic training for the new ESA astronaut candidates began on 1 September at the European Astronaut Centre and will last for 14 months.
Andr Kuipers during EVA familiarisation training at EAC, Cologne
Astronauts remove EuTEF from the outside of Columbus during the STS-128 Shuttle mission
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Annual Report 2009
European transportation and human exploration

Advanced Reentry Vehicle (ARV)
A proposal for the ARV Phase-A study was approved for implementation by the programmes Participating States in mid-March. The contract for the ARV Advanced Phase-A tasks was signed on 7 July. A Request for Quotation for the full Phase-A was issued to Astrium Bremen at the end of July. Following evaluation of the industrial proposal received, a Pre-Authorisation to Proceed to ARV Phase-A was granted to industry in December.
Human Exploration Technology

On the Habitation and Life Support side, two activities for implementation, namely the development of a Water Treatment Unit Breadboard and further development of the MELiSSA Pilot Plant, were endorsed by the programmes Participating States on 1718 February and were approved at the Industrial Policy Committee meeting on 7 May. On the Aurora Core programme, work continued on the package of autonomous soft-landing technology development activities, with the completion of the early phases of the vision-based navigation demonstrator and sensor architecture activities. There is now agreement on the basic content of the activity proposals for the Advanced Closed Loop System, formerly known as the Air Revitalisation System, in the General Support Technology Programme (GSTP-5) Work Plan.
International Berthing Docking Mechanism (IBDM)

A series of Technical Interchange Meetings took place with ESA, NASA, JAXA, Roscosmos and CSA to define an international standard for future docking and berthing systems for exploration and low Earth orbit activities and to work on IBDM interoperability aspects. A suitable configuration for the new docking standard was identified and convergence by all partners is now necessary. JAXA has expressed an interest in joining the IBDM programme.
International Architecture Development and Scenario Studies

The International Architecture Development and Scenario Studies have helped to increase the understanding of integrated architectures for human operations in low Earth orbit and human missions to the Moon and Mars and, in particular, have provided a strong rationale for a Europeanprovided lunar cargo lander in support of international human missions to the Moon. The ESA Human Spaceflight, Microgravity and Exploration Programme Board approved the implementation and procurement approach for the Space Exploration Scenario Studies in November. The Invitation to Tender for the Scenario Studies for Human Spaceflight and Exploration was issued on 21 December. The ESA/JAXA Comparative Architecture Assessment (CAA) formal Phase-1 closeout and Phase-2 kick-off meeting was held in Japan on 9 July. In the framework of the ESA/ NASA CAA, meetings were held in 2009 to consolidate the objectives and work plan for Phase-2. The Sixth IAWG-IOWG-CIT (International Architecture Working Group-International Objectives Working Group-Common Interface Team) Workshop was held in ESTEC on 26 November. The main outcome was the drafting of the mission statement for global human lunar exploration, which was finalised at the Fourth International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) meeting held in ESTEC on 23 December.
Expert
The Expert Payload Qualification Review was successfully closed and the Payload Flight Model manufacturing activities initiated by the institutes and payload providers. Following confirmation of additional funding from Italy and the Netherlands, the industrial contract for the final phase of the Expert programme, Phase-C/D/E, was signed in Rome on 20 July by the Director of Human Spaceflight Simonetta Di Pippo with Thales Alenia Space Italy. Expert is scheduled to be launched on a suborbital trajectory in late 2010.
Lunar Lander
Alternative approaches for the development of a European Lunar Lander have been explored. In preparation for and support of future work on these missions a Lunar Lander Request for Information was issued by ESA on 2 March inviting industrial, technology and scientific communities to provide inputs for experiments and payload elements for accommodation on its first Lunar Lander. Following a review and assessment of the nearly 200 proposals received, the Lunar Exploration Definition Team defined the priority objectives for the first Lunar Lander mission. A model payload was consequently devised for the industrial Phase-B1 study.
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Human Spaceflight
Educational and promotional activities

Education
Three educational DVDs won prestigious awards at international multimedia festivals: ISS DVD Lesson 4 Mission 4: Space Robotics; The Ingredients for life: On Earth and in Space; and Space Transportation: an ATV perspective. Nearly 300 Belgian schoolchildren gathered at the Free University in Brussels for a day of activities dedicated to learning about life on the ISS, which included a live link with the Station. To mark Frank De Winnes six-month OasISS mission, and in light of his role as goodwill ambassador for UNICEF Belgium, ESA teamed up with UNICEF to launch an online quiz for 1214-year-old European children. The theme of the quiz was water on Earth and in space, and the winner was announced live from space by De Winne. Graduates of the Fourth International Masters in Space Exploration and Development Systems (SEEDS) presented the results of their final team project on Advanced Lunar Itinerant Caravan for Exploration at ESTEC on 21 December.
Communication
To celebrate the commandership of the ISS by ESA astronaut Frank De Winne, ESA organised two inflight call events. ESA Director of Human Spaceflight Simonetta Di Pippo and DLR Chairman Johann-Dietrich Wrner spoke to De Winne from the Columbus Control Centre in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, on 13 October, while another inflight call from Brussels with Simonetta Di Pippo and Sabine Laruelle, Belgian Minister for Science Policy, was held on 14 October. A photo exhibition Images from the ISS was presented at the NEMO Science Centre in Amsterdam and was accompanied by a side event with a roundtable discussion and 3D projection commented on by ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli. Around 800 people met with ESA astronauts at the Astri e Particelle exhibition at PalExpo in Rome. As part of the European STS-125 post-flight tour, sponsored by ESA to raise awareness of human spaceflight among European citizens, a replica of Galileos telescope, used during the mission to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Galileos astronomical discoveries, was ceremonially returned to the Institute and Museum of the History of Science in Florence on 18 December.
The ISS Day for Belgian schoolchildren, Brussels
DLR Chairman Johann-Dietrich Wrner and ESA Director of Human Spaceflight Simonetta Di Pippo talk with Frank De Winne onboard the ISS
Paolo Nespoli attending the Images from the ISS exhibition at the NEMO Science Centre in Amsterdam
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technical & quality management
technical & quality management

Sustained technological development and advances are a prerequisite for the impressive successes achieved by the European space business. These advances in turn lead to new space applications, sustaining competitiveness and innovation in industry, and providing better services to citizens.
The challenge to ESA, especially in difficult times, is to consolidate Europes capacity to act more independently, in order to strengthen its role in international partnerships and global competition, and pave the way for innovation.
LAM (FR) will, within six months, provide a new generation of Sun coronagraph instruments and other technology items. General Support Technology Programme (GSTP) efforts were much in evidence with the launch of SMOS and Proba-2, both of which received substantial support from the Programme, and with the milestones reached by Expert, Proba-3 and Proba-V. All GSTP-5 elements were subscribed and became operational. Significant effort was devoted to discussions with industry on priority building blocks for which development is now under way. Element 3 initiated support for the Space Situational Awareness Programme. Following the recommendations of the EC/ESA/EDA Joint Task Force, the process was initiated and a list of critical technologies agreed for action in 201011.
Systems and technology programmes

Innovation is being pursued in processes that address the way we deliver development, new technology and ultimately innovative systems. ESA actively seeks to exploit European competence outside the core space business as well as national space competence for the benefit of European space projects, through tools such as the Networking/Partnering Initiative (60 PhD and post-doctoral projects have been established under this scheme to date), the Network of Technical Centres approach and the Innovation Triangle Initiative. Cooperation with internationally recognised laboratories in Member States has increased and new cooperation agreements have been struck. The Technology Research Programme (TRP) work plan is now fully implemented. Supported by technology reference studies, development activities are ongoing on microsystems and new actions will be initiated. These should reduce the resources consumed by service elements and enable larger payload fractions. The StarTiger initiative for concurrent fast prototyping has been reinstated and a new project led by
Proba-2 in the cleanroom at Verhaert Space just before being shipped for launch Proba-2 image of a solar eclipse
Technical & Quality Management
Concurrent engineering in the Concurrent Design Facility (CDF) continued to support studies and other actions while, in parallel, implementing the new model and new capabilities e.g. for a System of Systems, used in support of the GIANUS (Global Integrated Network for Innovative Utilisation of Space for Security) initiative. Research continued on model-based system and software engineering. Cost engineering served major ESA procurements while strengthening databases and refining models. Proba-1 completed eight years of operation in which it provided data for research and services. Proba-2 was launched in November 2009 with 17 experiments and four payloads observing, among other phenomena, solar activity, with high relevance for space weather. Phase-C/D of Proba-V was started, and the Proba-3 System Requirements Review carried out. Two receivers for shipborne Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals were installed on the ISS. They will show the potential of this observation for maritime surveillance. The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) payload development was completed.
The Technology Transfer Programme continued via the Network of Brokers and opened the fourth ESA Business Incubation Centre in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, with the DLR. ESAs individual engineering competencies continued to provide technical support to ESA projects and to drive technology development, thereby implementing the building block approach which will strengthen Europes technological base, especially in critical technologies.
Software Engineering
Research on software systems focused on improving quality and reducing costs. Work continued on the Space Avionics Open Interface Architectures (SAVOIR) initiative, aimed at a high-level reference architecture and defining building blocks. SAVOIR is a model for standardisation in support of product policy. Following initial satisfactory results, development began on the spin-in for space of the Integrated Modular Avionics architecture and its software element, the Time and Space Partitioning kernel.
Proba-2 observing the Sun, space weather and their impacts on Earth
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Annual Report 2009
Electrical Engineering
Following the building block philosophy, a systematic approach for the development of data system building blocks and product definition was implemented using reference architectures accompanied by underlying standards for services and interfaces. Significant efforts were deployed with European industry at prime contractor, equipment and technology supply level to frame ongoing and future component development within this scheme. At a lower level, a deep submicron silicon radiation-hardened library is currently under development, along with very-high-speed analoguedigital converters and other processing and storage modules. The fast-track redesign of TDP8, one of the four technological demonstration payloads to be flown on Alphasat, illustrates how the reuse of available components and VHDL IP cores can be usefully applied. In order to meet programmatic constraints, a small team from the ESTEC Electrical Engineering Department cooperated with EFACEC (PT) to redesign, finalise and validate a new FPGAbased board embedding a LEON processor from Aeroflex Gaisler (SE). This allowed development to continue within specification and project timescales. A new generation of payload computer was implemented by Aurelia (IT) and Syderal (CH). Their design was based on the LEON-2 (AT697) processor and the SpW-10X SpaceWire router (AT7910) made available through Atmel (FR). These single-board computers provide a wide variety of standardised electrical interfaces and constitute an important generic building block within the payload data handling architecture. Earth observation data are required to provide quantitative information as an input to applications or to science models. The accuracy requirements for these information products are becoming increasingly stringent, resulting in the need for more advanced processing techniques, which in turn depend on a better understanding of the physics of the measurement. As a consequence, in order to support the analysis and processing of images acquired by spaceborne optical imagers, a radiative transfer toolbox was developed in
P-Band gallium nitride SSPA for Biomass
Integrated Payload Processing Module Engineering Model by Aurelia (IT)
the framework of a GSP activity (with DLR as prime), enabling the accurate and realistic simulation of space observations in the ultraviolet to thermal-infrared spectral range. Another development in the framework of the TRP programme has led to low-cost DC/DC converters intended for payload instruments and equipment that were manufactured and tested as breadboards by RUAG Space AB (SE). The low cost target of a few thousand euros made it necessary to use commercial components, which were subjected to extended tests to ensure their survivability in space. This approach to the selection and control of alternative EEE components has been a very interesting outcome of the activity, and may open the way for much cheaper component procurement for power management and distribution units without affecting reliability. The processing of satellite navigation signals in indoor environments represents a particular challenge due to high building penetration losses, which require longer correlation
SAFT VES140SA battery low Earth orbit life test
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times and a correspondingly substantial increase in receiver complexity. To cope with this severe environment, coupling with additional sensors is needed as well as advanced signal processing techniques, also developed and patented by ESA before the industrial contract was started. For the first time, SSPAs (solid-state power amplifiers) based on gallium nitride (GaN) technology have been developed for a space application. An SSPA Engineering Model ready to enter a further Engineering Quality Model test programme was developed by Astrium UK under ARTES 4 funding. This achieved 90 W output power for 55% efficiency at S-band. This was followed by a breadboard of a 120 W high-power amplifier stage with 75% efficiency developed for pulsed radar applications at P-band in the framework of Biomass Phase-A activities. These results are paving the way for improved performance for spaceborne SSPAs to fly on future satellites. Efforts by ESA over nearly ten years to fill the gap created by the obsolescence of mechanical gyros paid off in the form of three complementary European technologies: the Astrix 120 Fibre Optic Gyroscope (FOG) in orbit with Planck, the Regys 20 Hemispherical Resonator Gyroscope (HRG) qualified for Alphabus and the SiREUS MEMS rate sensor selected for Sentinel-3. ESA has a substantial interest in achieving progress on the development of sensors on a chip, as outlined in the ESA AOCS Harmonisation Roadmaps. Various studies have confirmed the feasibility and interest of a Sun sensor on a chip in the near future and of a startracker of moderate accuracy on a chip in the longer term. Significant milestones have been achieved in the predevelopment of cutting-edge guidance, navigation and control system technologies in support of future ESA missions. For example, Highly Autonomous Rendezvous and Docking (HARVD) studies are paving the way for HARVD techniques in elliptical orbit around Mars.
Mechanical Engineering
In the optics domain, technological breakthroughs were achieved in the area of lightweight mirrors and telescopes. An ultra-lightweight 60 cm diameter mirror was manufactured from a new ceramic material called HB-Cesic. This material has a coefficient of thermal expansion of practically zero at temperatures below 100K, and its optical performance was tested at ambient and cryogenic temperatures. This cryogenic mirror technology, originally intended for the Darwin mission, is now a candidate for the SPICA mission. For the Proba-V payload, industry together with ESA engineers designed a novel Three-Mirror-Anastigmat (TMA) telescope with a very wide field-of-view of 38 degrees. A breadboard of this TMA telescope was manufactured with highly aspherical aluminium mirrors made by diamondturning. The breadboard tests have shown that this technology makes it possible to meet the challenging performance requirements of Proba-V with a payload of only 28 kg. A novel technology for X-ray mirrors based on silicon pore optics was developed for the International X-ray Observatory mission. Processes and materials from the semiconductor industry were successfully adapted to assemble optical units that will enable future mass production of modules to form a large X-ray aperture. Compared to XMM-Newtons High Energy Width angular resolution of 15 arcsec, an early mirror module has already demonstrated an improved resolution of 9 arcsec, while reducing the effective areal density by a factor of ten. LISA Pathfinder selected the slit FEEP (Alta) as the main actuator for its drag-free system, and the T6 ion engine from QinetiQ was selected as the main propulsion system for the BepiColombo mission. The Alphasat chemical propulsion system came through Service Module level tests successfully.
Wide field-of-view TMA telescope for Proba-V, front and back
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Annual Report 2009
In the area of aerothermodynamics, dedicated experiments were carried out on generic models at DLR Cologne on heat-flux mitigation by electromagnetic fields, resulting in a remarkable heat-flux mitigation of 85% and confirming the potential benefit of the approach during atmospheric reentry. The ATLLAS (Aerodynamic and Thermal Load Interactions with Lightweight Advanced Materials for High Speed Flight) research programme, funded by the European Commission Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), was nominated as a reference for best practice among Commission framework activities. In the thermal area, a harmonisation exercise aimed at further advances in and maturation of two-phase heat transport technologies was carried out. In the area of cryogenics, significant effort is being devoted to cryo-coolers for Earth observation missions such as Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) and future Science missions in the framework of Cosmic Vision. A novel simulation tool has been developed under GSTP bridging the gap between finite element (FEM) and statistical energy analysis (SEA) methods. The tool was successfully validated using representative spacecraft structure configurations and shock sources. It provides improved understanding of the predominant physical features that contribute to shock attenuation in space structures. The Light Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM) method was applied to manufacturing a composite electronics box housing. The prototype equipped with mass-representative dummy electronics passed all mechanical tests successfully. The process proved to be an effective manufacturing method, and brings significantly reduced manufacturing costs. An advanced Solar Array Drive Mechanism (SADM) is being developed that is expected to replace the equipment currently flying on many European medium-power geostationary telecom satellites. Its design is modular in order to cope with the various demands on spacecraft. The power transfer capability covered is 4 kW to 17.5 kW for a 110 V bus. In the Automation and Robotics lab, development of the Dexterous Robot Arm concluded with the production of a state-of-the-art robot manipulator and its related tool-exchange device.
Dexterous Robot Arm Engineering Model
SEPTA 24 SADM hardware
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Support to ESA space programmes

The European Space Product Catalogue (ESPC) completed its definition and development phase in 2009 prior to entering the pilot phase. On completion, the ESPC will provide a web-based list of qualified space products. This will enable ESA and industry to perform much better make-or-buy decisions during early project stages, and to enhance the re-use of space products while avoiding lengthy qualification status reviews. The ESA Non-conformance Tracking System (NCTS) has matured into a successful electronic reporting system that enables visibility concerning non-conformance among all partners within a given project as well as embedding the non-conformance workflow for management. Currently used by 20 major ESA projects, it has more than 2200 users, including ESA and industrial partners. Galileo, BepiColombo and all the Sentinels are among the major projects already using the software, while high-profile missions set to use NCTS in future include Meteosat Third Generation (MTG), the Proba series and ExoMars. compatible devices free of any export restrictions by the end of 2011. This represents an additional part of the building block philosophy securing European independence in core component and technology areas. Gallium nitride (GaN) electronics have already been identified as offering major potential benefits to future space systems. ESA has invested in this key technology area through projects such as GREAT2, where the aim is to ensure that a European (ITAR-free) source is established for microwave components. In 2009, to accelerate the technology readiness level of GaN, an in-orbit demonstration opportunity on Proba-V was approved. The initial investigation and programme definition was completed and the plan is to replace conventional gallium arsenide (GaAs) technology on an existing X-band transmitter on Proba-V with GaN technology. The programme reached an advanced stage by the end of 2009, allowing the start of hardware procurement. In micro- and nanotechnology, the major achievement was completion of the Euclid Cosmic Vision Technology preparatory activities, which demonstrated the capability of TI commercial Digital Micro-mirror Devices (DMDs) to survive in typical Euclid mission conditions. ESA also performed its role in assuring quality within the production process. The welding of titanium parts has continued to result in failures related to the process. In two specific applications, namely edge-welded bellows and oxygen fuel tanks, titanium welds have shown critical defects. These defects are mainly due to inclusions, weld penetration and the lack of protection during welding. These can result in a complete failure of the bellow itself, resulting in a gas/liquid leak inside the component. The already built-in pressure regulators of Plancks dilution cooling system had to be replaced due to a leaking bellow. The bellows in the latch valves of the ATV propulsion and reboost subsystem have been the subject of an extensive test programme and laboratory investigations as well as an on-the-spot X-ray inspection programme, which resulted in the replacement of several valves on the Flight Model. Audits at the companies concerned were performed and corrective actions taken.
Standardisation, cooperation and quality management

European Cooperation for Space Standardization (ECSS) standards are now firmly established and are helping European industry to obtain its share of the international market. The ECSS standards are being continuously improved and new ones are added where needed. The space debris standards developed with ISO and set for publication in early 2010 will provide the means to deal with the subject on an internationally accepted basis. The increased availability of European-qualified parts and processes is starting to readjust the balance between European and non-European parts used within the European space programme. However, it still has some way to go before reaching the European Component Initiative (ECI) goal of having, on average, over 50% in European spacecraft in terms of the value of EEE component procurement secured by European or ECI global partnership sources. ECI today is in its second phase. Activities in this phase will lead to a European supply of pin-to-pin space-qualified
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operations & infrastructure
operations & infrastructure

In a very demanding year, ESA once again achieved its objectives with Launch and Early Orbit Phase operations for GOCE, the launch of Herschel and Planck science missions, the start of the Space Situational Awareness Preparatory Programme and of work on ESAs third 35 m Deep Space Antenna in Argentina.
mission operations
ESOC teams in Darmstadt demonstrated their spacecraft operations expertise in several critical mission phases. In 2009, a total of 15 spacecraft were being operated inflight with another 12 missions in preparation. The GOCE team completed satellite commissioning in March, with the spacecraft in an extremely low operational orbit at an altitude of around 250 km. Herschel and Planck were launched in May, marking another highlight for ESOC operations, with two complex satellites operated in parallel. Both missions have yielded stunning scientific results. The SMOS and Proba-2 satellites were launched in November with SMOS payload operations conducted from ESAC, Spain, and Proba-2 from Redu, Belgium. Rosetta completed its last Earth swingby manoeuvre, passing by Earth at a distance of 2480 km. The spacecraft is now on its final trajectory towards its rendezvous with the target comet in 2014. Mars Express and Venus Express continued orbiting around our neighbouring planets, while the fleet of Cluster satellites prepared for their tenth year in orbit. The Ulysses mission was terminated following the failure of its last X-band transmitter after almost 19 years in orbit. The science return from XMM-Newton continued at a very high level. Mission operations for Integral and the Earth observation missions continued to be nominal. Envisat, supported by the Artemis data relay satellite, and ERS-2 were affected by the increasing number of in-orbit collision warnings since the Iridium-Cosmos crash in February, having to make regular avoidance manoeuvres.
Launch operations for Herschel/Planck at ESOC Artists impression showing Planck separating from the Ariane upper stage after launch
Operations & Infrastructure
Rosetta, ESAs comet chaser, which made its last Earth swingby manoeuvre in November; the ESA flight control team at ESOC during the Rosetta swingby
Human spaceflight operations

Europes Columbus laboratory on the International Space Station completed its second year of smooth mission operations, enabling leading research to take place in the fields of plant biology, exobiology, solar physics, human physiology, fluid and material sciences. With the increased crew of six astronauts, Columbus has become the ISSs most intensively used module. European human spaceflight operations are carried out by the Columbus Control Centre at DLR Oberpfaffenhofen under ESA contract with EADS Astrium. This combined mission control team was the prime support for Frank De Winne, the first European commander of the ISS, during his six-month mission. Following the successful mission of the first European Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), Jules Verne, the ATV Control Centre was updated to introduce changes based on lessons learned, replace obsolete equipment and accommodate new interfaces with external organisations. Preparations for the upcoming ATV Johannes Kepler launch, expected next year, began in the last quarter. The ATV missions are operated from the CNES mission control centre in Toulouse under ESA contract with CNES. This new operational approach for Columbus and ATV makes use of Europes distributed assets and skills to ensure Europes strategic independence, and reinforces its ability to remain a major international partner in manned space exploration.
ESA astronaut Frank De Winne on board the ISS
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missions in preparation
The Cryosat-2 team was approaching launch readiness for early 2010. Development of the science mission ground segments for Gaia, LISA Pathfinder and BepiColombo progressed as planned. The mission operations concept for ExoMars was completely revised and aligned with redefinition of the programme now based on two separate missions in cooperation with NASA, for launch in 2016 and 2018. New-generation Earth observation mission operations for Swarm, Aeolus, EarthCare and GMES Sentinels were prepared according to plan. In close cooperation with the EU, support continued for the design and development of the ground segment and operations for the Galileo programme and, in the context of a Network of Centres initiative, preparations began for Launch and Early Orbit Phase operations. Other third party activities continued satisfactorily. developed. Patent requests were filed on a packet compression algorithm and on an automatic anomaly search and correlation for diagnostics. The Space Environment Information System for Operations, an advanced space weather tool for mission control, is one of the precursor services for the Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Preparatory Programme.
Ground station technologies

With the aim of giving ESA a global deep space communication capability, the third Deep Space Antenna project started in Malarge, Argentina, reusing advanced technology developments such as X-band 20 kW high-power amplifiers and cryogenically cooled low-noise amplifiers. Galileo IOT (In-Orbit Test) facilities installation, including an L-Band 20 m antenna and a C-Band antenna, began at the Redu ground station. Preparatory technology activities got under way for SSA surveillance radars and a network of optical telescopes for space debris detection.
Research and technology

2009 saw the first full year of operations of the new Research and Technology (R&T) Management Office, which was created in 2008 to lead the planning, definition, implementation and coordination of all OPS R&T activities. Special emphasis was given to fully representing and involving the Directorate at all levels of ESAs R&T programmes to contribute the ground-segment-related technology requirements. On top of the usual OPS R&T domains (data systems, flight dynamics and navigation, space debris, ground communications and stations), an experimental platform with deployable artificial intelligence applications for medium- to long-term planning and scheduling was
Ground data systems

The GOCE and Herschel/Planck data systems supported their launches and are being used for routine operations. Those of CryoSat-2 and Galileo are ready while several others are in preparation for future missions and the SSA programme. All systems are based on the solid ESA software infrastructure which is itself evolving into the ESA Ground Operation System (EGOS) also used outside ESA, allowing substantial software reuse, significant cost savings and risk mitigation.
Preparatory works for the third ESA Deep Space Antenna, Malarge, Argentina
Construction of an ESA Deep Space Antenna (New Norcia)
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Flight dynamics
The successful launches, early operations and commissioning phases of GOCE, Herschel and Planck were all firsts of their kind for ESA missions. Further cooperation towards an ESOC/CNES common software infrastructure was mutually supported at system design level. The preparation of ExoMars and Cosmic Vision gave rise to new challenges for interplanetary mission support and mission analysis.
Navigation
Main achievements included improved navigation accuracy and timeliness based on real-time GPS processing at the sub-decimetre level, flexibility in processing GPS, Glonass and experimental Galileo (GIOVE) data and innovation through in-orbit determination of the GIOVE navigation antenna patterns.
Space debris
On 10 February, the active US Iridium 33 satellite collided with the deactivated Russian satellite Cosmos 2251, adding 1500 fragments to the catalogue of known space objects, only 10 km above the flight altitude of Envisat and ERS-2. This increased the risk of catastrophic collision by 40% and required Envisat to perform two collision avoidance manoeuvres.
Computer graphic of the Iridium 33/Cosmos 2251 collision event
y-rotating [km]
x-rotating [km]
Stable manifold of Herschels orbit
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Space Situational Awareness

The Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Preparatory Programme started in early 2009 and is currently planned to last until the end of 2011, with the possibility of extension until the end of 2012. By that time, the next ESA Ministerial Council may have taken a decision to endorse the full SSA operational programme. The objective of the SSA Preparatory Programme is to explore the possibility of supporting independent European utilisation of, and access to, space for research and services. This will be done by providing data, information, knowledge and operational services regarding the space environment, threats and the sustainable exploitation of the outer space surrounding Earth. The areas addressed during this phase of work include overall SSA system design, space weather, space surveillance, radar systems, near-Earth objects, secure data centres and the provision of precursor SSA services. The Programmes Core Team was recruited in 2009 and will be located at ESAC in Spain. The team is assisted by expert engineering staff at ESOC and ESTEC. Work centred on finalisation and approval of the customer/ user requirements as well as preparation of system requirements, data policy, radar breadboarding and precursor services. The 2009 procurement plan was agreed by the SSA Programme Board, and the first batch of Invitations to Tender was issued at the end of the year. The rest will be issued early 2010 with all industrial contracts beginning in the first quarter of 2010. These contracts, together with those from the 2010 procurement plan, will lead into the system architectural design. In parallel, establishment of pilot data centres and radar breadboarding will start together with the provision of precursor SSA services. International cooperation is an essential part of the SSA Preparatory Programme, owing to the global nature of the problems to be addressed in all three SSA domains (space surveillance, space weather and near-Earth objects). In this context, cooperation with the USA plays a key role. For example, the protection of our space segment assets in low Earth orbit (e.g. ERS-2, Envisat) relies on information provided by the US Air Force, based on surveillance data from US radar systems for which no equivalent is yet available in Europe.
ESA operates a space debris telescope housed at the Teide Observatory, Tenerife, Canary Islands
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ESA Informatics and Facility management

In 2009, the Operational Phase Service Review of the Overall Service Provider outsourcing contract was completed. This important milestone marks the completion of ESA IT infrastructure modernisation. Phase 1 of the ESACOM 3G project to upgrade the corporate networks was completed. Special effort was devoted to extending and modernising ESAs videoconference facilities, more than doubling the number of videoconferencing studios in ESA capable of supporting high definition and the Internet protocol. Extensive support was provided for the preparation of the new Financial Management Reform (FINREF) service provision from 2010. The preliminary deployment of virtualisation infrastructure for pre-operational Mission Operations Data systems was completed. This provided the proof of concept of the next phase, namely virtualisation of significant parts of the mission operations infrastructure. The ESTEC asbestos removal project was completed on time and on budget. The ESOC asbestos removal project was extended in scope to prepare a master plan for development of the site. Implementation of the ESA Security Directives was pursued actively in 2009, both for physical security and Mission Operations Infrastructure. Facility Management has benefited from the introduction of performance-based contracts, which will support the drive for economy.
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legal affairs & external relations
legal affairs & external relations

ESA continues to expand its cooperation with a wide range of international partners, in a year in which new channels and partnerships in communication found fresh audiences, widening awareness of ESA activities among European citizens.
International Relations
Canada
Negotiations took place on the renewal of the ESA/Canada Cooperation Agreement for another period of ten years. Cooperation continued both in the ESA context and in other multilateral settings, such as the ISS partnership and the Committee on Earth Observation.
United States
Cooperation in space science between ESA and NASA was further reinforced with a joint Mars exploration programme, initially focusing on the ExoMars mission in 2016 and 2018 with the ultimate aim of returning samples from Mars to Earth. This programme is a step towards even closer cooperation with NASA, and complements the more traditional joint projects in many of the Cosmic Vision activities. In another first, ESA and NASA reached an agreement concerning cooperation between the two agencies on a number of clearly identified topics of common interest in the field of space transportation, ensuring proper legal protection and balanced cooperation for an exchange of information.
European Union Member States

Estonia joined the group of European Cooperating States at the end of 2009, thus becoming the fifth nation to enter the PECS project (after Hungary, the Czech Republic, Romania and Poland), while in the course of the year, much of the preparatory work was completed for Slovenia to join. Accession negotiations were pursued with Romania, while new Cooperation Agreements were signed with Latvia in July and Cyprus in August. Discussions were ongoing with Slovakia, Lithuania, Malta and Bulgaria.
The new ESA Corporate Visual Identity Policy was approved by the Director General, reinforcing the importance of a coherent and unified image of ESA ESAs Director of Legal Affairs and External Relations, Peter Hulsroj, and Estonian Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications, Juhan Parts (right), sign the Cooperation Agreement on 10 November in Tallinn (ESA/Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications for Estonia)
Legal Affairs & External Relations
Following a US request, ESA and the European Commission provided input to US space policy reviews, in particular the Augustine Committee and the review of US National Space Policy. ESA and NASA launched an initiative to study means to reinforce cooperation in Earth science and climate change research, resulting in dedicated bilateral meetings with the objective of identifying concrete cooperation opportunities. Information exchange sessions and technical meetings took place with US counterparts regarding Space Situational Awareness.
ESA and Roscosmos met to address possible cooperation opportunities in the area of space science. After that meeting, ESA began investigating further European interest in collaborating on Russian missions. ESA and Roscosmos concluded an agreement related to ESA support for the Phobos Grunt mission. ESA will provide ground support in return for scientific data from the mission. The mission, originally due to be launched in October 2009, was later postponed until 2011. Two ESA Earth observation satellites were launched from the Plesetsk launch site using Russian Rockot launchers. ESA also participated in the Moscow Airshow (MAKS) in August.
Russian Federation
ESA continued to cooperate closely with Russia. The infrastructure and necessary installations for the Soyuz at CSG project continued to be installed with a view to the first launch taking place in 2010. ESA astronaut Frank De Winne flew on a Soyuz spacecraft to the ISS and landed safely on Earth after a 6-month long-duration mission. In order to foster cooperation in ISS utilisation, ESA and Roscosmos signed an agreement on joint experiments, providing the framework to coordinate and carry out joint scientific research on board the ISS. ESA participated in the initial phase of the Mars 500 isolation study conducted at the Russian Institute of Biomedical Problems. Two Europeans and four Russians were sealed in an isolation chamber for 105 days to prepare for the full 520-day simulation of a manned mission to Mars planned to start in 2010 in the same facilities.
Japan
In space science, where ESA and JAXA have enjoyed fruitful cooperation for thirty years, BepiColombo cooperation activities made good progress and several meetings took place on Japanese interest in Cosmic Vision missions. In the field of Earth observation, an Exchange of Letters with JAXA was signed in July regarding data from the Japanese Greenhouse Gas Observing Satellite (GOSAT), launched in January 2009. The agreement negotiated between ESA and JAXA on EarthCARE was approved by the ESA Council. EarthCARE, which will fly the Cloud Profiling Radar instrument, is a very important mission for both ESA and JAXA. Through its Moscow office, ESA gave support to JAXA for the preparation of astronaut Soichi Noguchis flight on a Soyuz to the ISS at the end of 2009.
ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain and Anatoly Perminov, Head of Roscosmos, sign an Implementing Arrangement between ESA and the Russian federal space agency on activities in support of space exploration programmes
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Since the signature of the ESA/JAXA Agreement on Space Components in June 2007 in Le Bourget, regular exchange of information has taken place. The main focus has been on subjects such as the common evaluation activities and Japanese export licensing process. Work with JAXA in the components field is progressing in line with the objectives set out in the Cooperation Agreement.
China
Cooperation in space science is being pursued with Chinese research entities. After the successful cooperation on the Double Star Programme, the Chinese National Space Administration (CNSA), Chinese Academy of Sciences and ESA are investigating possible cooperation in some of the proposed missions under the Cosmic Vision initiative. ESA and Chinese research institutions continued their cooperation in the Dragon 2 programme. The first Dragon Symposium was held in Barcelona in June, a highly successful event involving the participation of more than 150 European and Chinese scientists.
A Mars Advanced School sponsored by ESA was held in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province, China, in July. Graduate and postdoctoral students and researchers from mainland China and Taiwan attended this course with expert teaching staff from Europe and China
Africa
A draft GMES-Africa plan of action was produced including contributions by ESA experts and then opened for wide consultation in Europe and in Africa. The finalised plan will be submitted at the next EU/Africa Summit. TIGER II was launched, and 20 proposals selected that will directly benefit from the training activities of TIGERs Capacity Building Facility, a comprehensive programme aimed long-term at supporting the consolidation of a critical mass of technical centres, water authorities and universities in Africa with the skills and capabilities to acquire, disseminate and use space-based water relevant information for integrated water resource management. ESA has supported the South African/EU Space Dialogue created as part of the South Africa/EU Strategic Partnership. It brings together the South African Government, the European Commission and ESA to discuss and agree actions to advance space cooperation between South Africa and the EU in areas such as Earth observation, global satellite navigation systems and space science.
Malarge in Argentina was selected as the site offering ESA the best conditions. In the summer, ESA and CONAE negotiated an Implementing Arrangement, which was then presented to the ESA Council in October. In addition, ESA and CONAE began working on the translation into Spanish of the EDUSPACE software package for the benefit of all Latin American countries. ESA and Brazil pursued cooperation on the use of the Natal tracking station. Relations with several countries in Latin America were intensified, for instance Mexico and Peru, through support for workshops and training courses.
Latin America
ESA held discussions with Chilean and Argentine authorities in order to find the best location to set up ESAs third Deep Space Antenna. Having evaluated the different opportunities,
TIGER II preliminary study areas
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Australia
The Australian Space Science Programme was created with 40 million $AU and the establishment of a Space Policy Unit in the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research as the focal point for international space cooperation. This decision will certainly create further opportunities to reinforce ESAs longstanding space cooperation with Australia and confirms Australias commitment to continue hosting ESA tracking stations in the country.
United Nations
As an observer to COPUOS, ESA pursued its coordination role aimed at achieving common European positions in COPUOS and its subsidiary bodies. ESA renewed its support for the series of workshops and training courses organised by the UN Office of Outer Space Affairs (OOSA) in the framework of the UN Programme on Space Applications.
Chandrayaan-1 in orbit around the Moon (D. Roam)
Education
The Education Office continued to address the needs of European students and educators, supporting schoolteachers, mainly via the ESERO project, and university students via hands-on projects and academic support. There was also an increase in outreach activities, such as the production of promotional material and restructuring of the Eduspace Earth Observation educational tool.
Asia-Pacific region
Indias Chandrayaan-1 mission (carrying three European instruments built under ESA coordination) was terminated in September after a year of operations. India placed three Earth observation satellites in orbit with its PSLV launcher. Indias focus on space technology will, in the coming years, continue to be on improvement in remote sensing satellites (ten Earth observation satellites are in orbit today) for the benefit of the countrys development, but also on global issues such as climate change affecting the subcontinent. India will also be involved in planetary exploration and is looking for international cooperation. The remaining nations in the Asia-Pacific region have, to varying degrees, embraced space applications and technology and have taken part in a number of cooperative space projects with ESA and with Europe in general in the past few years. All these nations regard space applications and technology as an important economic engine for growth and development. For instance, the emerging size and importance of space activities in ASEAN has attracted the attention of the major spacefaring nations in Asia (China, India and Japan). South Korea launched its KSLV-1 vehicle for the first time on 25 August (with only partial success), while in October, Daejeon hosted IAC2009, an event opened by President Lee Myung-bak.
ESERO project
The Dutch-language Reis door de Ruimte in 80 lessen teaching material was distributed to more than 5000 schools. An interactive public exhibition about the search for life in
The Dutch Reis door de Ruimte in 80 lessen teaching material
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the Universe was opened. The Dutch ESERO organised 32 professional development workshops for 954 teachers. ESERO Belgium started to distribute the Mission Espace educational material to approximately 5000 primary schools. 820 Belgian teachers benefited from the ESERO workshops or training days organised. The ESERO UK contract was placed with the National Science Learning Centre (NSLC). A three-year contract with ESERO Norway began in December 2008. A contract for the establishment of an ESERO in Ireland was signed with Discover Science & Engineering (DSE) in November.
including some non-Member States participating in the Programme for European Cooperating States. Work on the CubeSat payload for the Vega maiden flight progressed well, involving over 230 students in nine Member and Cooperating States. In 2009, 44 ESA-sponsored students from 12 countries saw their experiments launched on the REXUS/BEXUS sounding rocket and balloon flights. Development of the Global Education Network for Satellite Operations (GENSO) project continued. The first GENSO software was released in September. The Fly Your Thesis! An Astronaut Experience programme was completed in November, during ESAs 51st Microgravity Research Campaign. Student teams from Norway, Spain, Germany, and the UK and France took part. 64 students were supported to attend seven space-related conferences, including the International Astronautical Congress in South Korea. The Programme for Education in Space Technology, Innovation and knowledge (PRESTIGE) was launched in cooperation with several ESA departments. It involved four universities working with experts from the Directorate of Technical and Quality Management.
Hands-on projects and academic support

The European Student Earth Orbiter (ESEO) project made good progress in Phase-B2, under prime contractor Carlo Gavazzi Space. Over 90 students from 11 universities in nine Member and Cooperating States are currently working on ESEO. The European Student Moon Orbiter (ESMO) project continued in Phase-B1. Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (UK) was selected as the industrial prime. Over 200 students from 19 universities in 10 Member and Cooperating States are currently working on ESMO
The 2009 Microgravity Research Campaign students together with the Fly Your Thesis! team before their second flight
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Communications
The launch of Herschel and Planck on an Ariane 5, the most eagerly awaited highlight of the year, marked a milestone for ESA and the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009). The satellites lifted off in a perfectly executed launch carrying the IYA2009 logo on the launcher fairing. Interest was built up in the months before the launch through online and print media. This culminated in live launch coverage via a special launch website, mission websites and Web 2.0 tools. ESA TV images of the launch were seen by at least 257 million people. ESA participated in IYA2009 as an organisational associate through a number of other exhibitions and events. These included the inauguration ceremony at UNESCO (Paris), the From the Earth to the Universe travelling exhibition that stopped off in several ESA Member States, the Groningen Discovery truck that toured the Netherlands and the Bach to the Universe concert series in Spain. The best possible use was made of Human Spaceflight communication opportunities leading, as in 2008, to Human Spaceflight being one of the main drivers of ESA communication as indicated by media coverage. These topics included the first 105-day isolation for a Mars500 crew, the new astronaut selection, Frank De Winnes long-duration OasISS mission and Christer Fuglesangs 14-day Aliss mission. Fuglesangs launch on STS-128 was seen by 123.5 million viewers. The OasISS mission was undoubtedly the highlight of Human Spaceflight communication activities, especially when De Winne became the first European ISS commander. His Soyuz launch was seen by 126.5 million people. During the mission, De Winne published a web diary and answered questions via ESAs dedicated YouTube channel. Almost 50 audiovisual calls and recorded messages by De Winne helped to maintain interest in the six-month mission. 2009 saw unprecedented activity in Earth Observation, with the launches of three Earth Observation satellites planned for the year. GOCE and SMOS were launched on 17 March and 2 November 2009 respectively. The launch of the third mission, CryoSat-2, had to be postponed until February 2010. Reporting on the launches of GOCE and SMOS across all mass media shows that, with about 123 million viewers for GOCE and 77 million for SMOS, the impact was very high, particularly in Europe. Communication activities for the launch of the Proba-2 satellite in November emphasised ESAs commitment to promoting technical innovation and the usefulness of in-orbit demonstration for the purposes of maturing technologies. One of the objectives was to show that small companies can have access to space, and that the pragmatic approaches they follow do much to ensure a competitive and innovative European industry.
Frank De Winne answers questions from the public while on the ISS
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Later in the year, Rosettas final Earth swingby turned out to be an unexpectedly popular event. It attracted more press, television and online coverage than anticipated and built up strong momentum for the asteroid Lutetia flyby event in 2010. Several TV crews were present at ESOC, and the event was covered live on ESA websites, a blog and Web 2.0 channels.
published on the ESA homepage, with over 1200 images and videos. A new online visualisation tool was introduced for ESA Publications making it easier for users to read online documents, such as the ESA Bulletin, brochures or books. Several dedicated websites were set up (the History of Europe in Space, IYA2009, for launch campaigns, etc.) with web streaming of launches becoming standard for such events. An ESA technology website was launched, explaining ESA technology programmes and the business opportunities they offer to industry, and showing the efforts ESA is making to ensure a competitive and knowledgeable European industry. At the same time, the ESA Space Engineering website was completely revised to provide clearer visibility of the impact of space engineering, its interaction with space programmes and the possible applications.
Media relations
Monitoring TV transmissions for each launch confirmed that ESA TV images are seen by millions of viewers throughout Europe and worldwide on all main TV channels. Launches were not the only stories shown on TV. Out of around 60 ESA TV stories, about a third were on other subjects, such as space debris, the astronaut selection, Mars500, telemedicine or the use of EGNOS for agriculture. The partnership with Euronews also continued, with 20 episodes of the Space programme reaching an average audience of more than four million viewers each.
Exhibitions and corporate events

To demonstrate its position as a major player in the global space sector, ESA attends the main international exhibitions and space events. These events are aimed at raising public awareness, promoting future programmes and underlining the benefits and results of space activities as a key asset for Europe. In June, ESA hosted the Space for Earth pavilion at the 48th International Paris Air Show, Le Bourget, showcasing current and ongoing missions to politicians, decision-makers, the international aerospace community, media and general public. ESA also attended or provided support for the Moscow Airshow in July, the Space Exploration Conference in Prague in October and the COP15 Climate Change Conference, Copenhagen, in December. In order to reach new audiences, ESA participated in many events in Member States in coordination with national delegations. In France, the permanent Objectifs Terre exhibition was set up in cooperation with CNES and EADS at the Cit des Sciences et de lIndustrie in Paris, with a focus on space technologies and science for managing Earths resources. ESA was present at the Cosmos & Culture astronomy exhibition at the Science Museum, London, in July and at the Luxembourg Science Festival in November.
Dedicated ESA History and Technology web sites set up in 2009
Internet
ESAs Web Portal continues to be a communication success both in terms of direct users, notably among the general public, and as a source of content for major global online media outlets. More than 250 news stories and 80 Focus on features were
ESA Pavilion at Paris Air Show, Le Bourget
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Internal communication
Internal communication is essential to maintaining staff cohesion, strengthening the idea of One ESA and developing a customer-oriented agency. The Intranet is an important tool in this sense, and a survey of ESA staff and contractors confirmed that its use and acceptance within ESA were particularly high. Throughout the year, the Intranet was instrumental in change management, supporting the Financial Management Reform as well as a variety of environmental and safety campaigns in the establishments. The number of groups using the Intranet to publish their own content and connect with colleagues is increasing. In April, all of the online content of Human Resources was revised and migrated to the Intranet. Its critical role became evident when it was necessary to inform staff about the swine flu outbreak.
Corporate visual identity

The new ESA Corporate Visual Identity Policy was approved by the Director General, reinforcing the importance of a coherent and unified image of ESA. Besides addressing the correct use of the ESA logo and brand architecture in all media and situations, this policy puts the accent on the mandatory nature of the Corporate Visual Identity Manual. This new Corporate Visual Identity was implemented at several levels, starting with the ESA Intranet, ESA Web Portal, brochures, the ESA Bulletin and the Annual Report.
Presenting a unified and coherent image of ESA, the new Corporate Visual Identity was launched on the web and on ESA publications such as the ESA Bulletin
Partnerships
The Touching the Edge of the Universe planetarium show was completed and distributed, with premieres taking place in the first two weeks of May in over 20 planetariums in Germany and Austria. The first events took place on 7 and 8 May in Berlin, Hamburg and Vienna followed by large planetariums in Nuremberg, Bochum, Jena and other locations. By the end of 2009, 48 planetariums in 17 countries were participating, reaching an estimated audience of 70 000 people. Imaginarium, a major European toy manufacturer, with shops in 28 countries around the world, launched a line of products based on ESA programmes and activities, which has been very well received. As a result, ESA and European space programmes are becoming better known by children and families. This success is considered to be a sign that ESAs image is relevant and has achieved a degree of penetration, particularly in certain Member States.
Decision-making Process
A Working Group on the evolution of the Decision-Making Process was created under the chairmanship of Laurens Jan Brinkhorst with representatives from Member States, the Executive and external experts. The Working Group was charged with identifying, in the first instance, the strengths and weaknesses of the current decision-making process. It delivered its report to the December 2009 Council. Based on the findings of the Working Group, Council conferred a further mandate on the Working Group to define a range of possible remedies for the weaknesses it had identified. Council requested that the Working Group present its recommendations at the June 2010 Council meeting.
Publicity poster for the ESA planetarium show Touching the Edge of the Universe (in German, Augen im All). Co-produced by leading European planetariums and ESA, this was one of the most exciting and imaginative celebrations of science and discovery during the International Year of Astronomy 2009
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resources management & industrial matters
resources management & industrial matters

Finance and budget, corporate controlling, human resources and procurement functions are of fundamental importance to the Agency. Some key activities in 2009 were the Life at ESA project, selection of the new astronauts, the Sustainable Development Initiative and implementation of the Procurement and Industrial Policy Reforms.
Human Resources
Human Resources Policy
The Human Resources Department aims to ensure that staff have the right competences to achieve ESAs objectives while also encouraging staff motivation and offering the means for all staff members to develop to their full potential. An environment in which staff can contribute most effectively to ESAs objectives requires trust and transparency. It is an important task of the Human Resources Department to work continuously towards this objective and to create, together with managers at all levels in ESA, motivating working conditions and opportunities for professional evolution. providing the right conditions to enable our people to give of their best; improving relationships between managers and staff as well as between peers; removing obstacles that hinder individuals and teams from cooperating across projects, Directorates and sites in order to promote One ESA. Accordingly, studies were conducted at all ESA sites to learn more about working conditions and relationships among staff. The results show that ESA is privileged to have such motivated staff who enjoy working for the Agency. The results also show that ESA needs to put even greater emphasis on improving relations between managers and staff as well as between peers. There is a need to further strengthen people management skills within ESA and resolve situations where heavy workloads can lead to stress.
0.0 0.4 0.6 1.3 1.9 4.1 7.0 8.1 14. 14. 22. 25.
Life at ESA project

It is the expertise of ESA people that allows the Agency to perform the tasks assigned to it and to go beyond the current level of knowledge. It is their diversity, in terms of nationality, gender and age, that opens the door to new and creative solutions to the complex questions we face. The Director General emphasised this by launching the Life at ESA project in early 2009. This project places the spotlight on the quality of working life at ESA:
Diversity management
The purposes of diversity management at ESA are to: recruit and retain a diverse workforce of the best qualified individuals; manage and facilitate social and cultural diversity;
Resources Management & Industrial Matters
foster an environment in which, regardless of the particular mix of beliefs and identities held, all staff members can flourish and do their best work. It is one thing to create diversity by recruiting people from different cultures and backgrounds, but quite another to create an inclusive environment that enables people to perform at the highest level and feel professionally fulfilled: a key objective of diversity management at ESA. In 2009, a new training programme on managing diversity was developed and delivered to ESA managers.
Internal University
The Internal University offered about 15 programmes responding to different corporate priorities, notably reinforcing the Agencys managerial capability, expanding staff knowledge about ESAs functioning and promoting the harmonisation of practice and exchange of expertise.
2009 also saw the launch of On-Board ESA, an intensive threeday programme offered to a group of 60 newly recruited staff members to provide them with a global understanding of ESA activities and functioning and to enable them to lay down Recruitment foundations for solid networking across all establishments and directorates. This programme, offering a combination of in-house In 2009, ESA recruited 144 new staff members following the presentations, facility visits (ESTEC and ESOC) and social events, decisions taken at the 2008 Ministerial Council. At the end was very well received and will be continued. of 2009, 2122 staff from different national and professional backgrounds were working at ESA to develop European Young Graduate Trainees and Internal Fellows space programmes. The ESA Young Graduate Trainee (YGT) Programme provides Astronaut selection campaign practical work experience to young graduates from ESA Member and Cooperating States who have recently obtained a Masters 2009 marked the completion of the astronaut selection diploma in one of ESAs technical fields of specialisation. Through project. All in all, this project took more than two years, their one-year traineeship at ESA and under the responsibility during which time the project team prepared and executed of their respective tutors, YGTs gain valuable hands-on work the astronaut selection project plan. The project team experience, preparing them for future employment in the space consisted of members of the European Astronaut Centre industry or research. and the Human Resources Department. A conscious effort is made when selecting candidates not only The Human Resources Department was responsible for the to attract more women to scientific and engineering fields, but technical leadership for the development of the necessary also to attract young graduates from as many ESA Member and software to manage the expected volume of applications and Cooperating States as possible. Particular effort has been made to for the management of the recruitment logistics. ESA received raise the interest of potential candidates from under-represented more than 8000 applications and the logistics involved around Member States through, for instance, extensive participation 1300 candidate tests and interviews over a period of one year. in job fairs. Out of the 1517 applicants to the YGT Programme, 59 candidates from 16 different nationalities received an offer following The Human Resources Department was also directly their successful interviews (42% of these new recruits were women involved in the candidate assessment centres as well as in and 58% men). In total, 160 YGTs worked at ESA in 2009. jointly carrying out the professional interviews of those in the penultimate selection together with the Director of ESAs Internal Research Fellow Programme is a postdoctoral Human Spaceflight and other high-level managers. research fellowship programme offering scientists and engineers the opportunity to carry out advanced research in a variety of Staff development and training disciplines related to space science, space applications and space technology. The Internal Research Fellow Programme welcomed A wide range of training and development activities 18 new recruits, making a total of 56 postdoctoral research was made available to ESA staff members in 2009. fellows working at ESA, for a total of 37 man-years. These included activities centrally driven by the Internal University to serve corporate needs and priorities and those National Trainee Programmes instigated locally in each establishment in response to the job needs identified by staff members and their managers. The National Trainee Programmes continued their activities, Activities covered a broad spectrum, from courses and offering practical experience in space applications to young seminars designed to ESA specifications to the financing graduates within the framework of bilateral agreements with of individual staff members participation in external Spain, Portugal, Greece and Germany. During the year, 17 Spanish, professional or academic programmes. 4 Portuguese and 6 Greek trainees started their training at ESA. The selection process for the first batch of German trainees was launched, and 10 candidates are expected to start in 2010.
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Annual Report 2009
Workforce management
In line with the project plan and following the completion of the prototype phase, the decision on the implementation of the planning system based on the SAP Project was taken by the Integrated Project Review Board chaired by the Director General in July. The project can now proceed, depending on the availability of directorates, with the gradual implementation of the workforce planning system. In parallel with the prototyping of the actual planning tool, several work packages were progressing towards completion in 2010. The design phase of the competence work package resulted in the drafting of a list of generic ESA jobs and a corresponding draft mapping of the staff positions in almost all directorates. The analysis of contractor data management has produced the structure of the future database and a draft of the process. The design phase of the reporting was well advanced with the necessary steps having been taken to implement the relevant infrastructure. The recruitment module does not yet offer the quality requested by users. An investigation was launched at the end of 2009 to assess the possibility of a minimum adaptation to ESA needs of an available off-the-shelf product.
are essential to achieving ESAs objectives. ESA is therefore committed to producing a caring and supportive working environment, which is conducive to the welfare of both staff and contractors, and enables them to develop their full potential.
Health and welfare

Aside from becoming a non-smoking organisation, a prevention campaign targeting malignant melanoma and the initiation of an analysis of stress at ESA, important steps have been taken in the social security domain to address both short- and long-term risks. The ceilings and conditions of reimbursement for medical expenditure have been reviewed. In addition to their adjustment every two years, changes have been made to reflect the evolution of medical techniques such as robotic surgery, and to improve the ESA scheme in light of the changes in the coverage of some national schemes, for example concerning fees for hospitalisation and in vitro fertilisation. Affiliated persons entitled to external primary cover will receive better reimbursement from ESA for the complementary part. The calculation of reimbursement of the difference between the total cost and the cost reimbursed by the primary scheme has been raised from 90% to 95% for a two-year trial period. The current long-term risks contract (incapacity, invalidity and death) has been renegotiated for a period of three years from 2010 to 2012. The insurance premium has been lowered by 25%, resulting in substantial savings for Member States.
Social security
ESA recognises that the people who work for the Agency are its most valuable resource, and that their health and welfare
ESAs Young Graduate Trainee programme provides hands-on experience to graduates from ESA Member and Cooperating States
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Pensions
Substantial progress was made regarding the transfer of pension rights or social security agreements (Netherlands, France, Belgium, Eurocontrol).
Sustainable Resources Initiative

At the end of 2008, ESA launched the ESA Sustainable Resources Management Initiative, led by the Director of Resources Management and Industrial Matters. The initiative aims to increase the sustainability of ESA and its processes, not only as regards the environmental impacts of ESA activities, but also regarding the sustainability of human resources, and financial and all other essential characteristics and capabilities. This will also help to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of ESA as an organisation. In terms of improved effectiveness and efficiency, the initiative started several pilot activities. These are notably related to ESAs IT services, team accommodation, site services, lean processes in technical facilities, business missions, wage bill evolution and staffing issues. A dedicated structure was created to monitor ESAs corporate activity on sustainable development: the Coordination Office on Sustainable Development. The mandate of this office is to define and coordinate policy, implementation and reporting aspects of sustainable development together with experts in ESA directorates by field of responsibility and competency. An initial mapping of activities and processes was performed in 2009 to address past and current situations with regard to sustainability. The first corporate policy on sustainable development will be presented at Council level in 2010.
Statistics
Pensions
At the end of 2009, there were 1139 pension recipients, compared with 1100 at the end of 2008.
Staff
At the end of 2009, ESA had 2122 staff in post, compared with 2054 at the end of 2008.
Hors Member States Classe

Austria Belgium Czech Republic Denmark Finland France Germany Greece Ireland Italy Luxembourg Netherlands Norway Portugal Spain Sweden Switzerland United Kingdom 1 1 2 4 2 1 1
A
35 80 2 23 16 408 335 14 18 346 1 61 22 21 152 41 25 177
B
2 9 1 5
Total Staff
37 90 2 25 21
10 5
92 57 2 9 30 28 2 2 8 4 3
520 399 16 27 378 1 90 24 23 160 45 28 208
Procurement and Industrial Policy

Industrial Policy
2009 was mainly dedicated to the implementation of the Procurement Reform decided at the 2008 Ministerial Council, and endorsed in ESA/C-M/CCVI/Res.4 (Resolution on the evolution of the Agency) and its reference documents. Overall, the Procurement Reform made good progress, on track to finalise, in 2010, elements of the reform such as the Tender Evaluation Manual and the new General Clauses and Conditions for ESA Contracts. The reform has three main focuses: the evolution of procurement procedures for procurements above 20 million; further evolution of the Procurement Policies; reform of the Procurement Regulations and of the General Clauses and Conditions of ESA Contracts. These areas encompass the major elements such as parallel early development phases, reinforced competition at all levels, reduction of core-team size, improved Best Practices for the selection of subcontractors, Product Policy, Risk Management and Variable Profit. It also includes industrial policy guidelines concerning the evolution of industrial policy measures for non-large
27
Non-Member States
Canada Total 12 26 1803 18 2 283 6 28 2122
ESA staffing as at 31 December 2009
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Annual Report 2009
system integrators for such entities in ESA Research & Development Programmes (C1C4 measures) which were approved by the Industrial Policy Committee (IPC). The Product Policy implementation plan was also endorsed by the IPC, and included both the objectives and action plan to foster re-use of existing products in Agency programmes and activities. This was agreed with the double goal of supporting cost effectiveness while reducing risks in programmes developed by the Agency through the deployment of a re-use policy and by providing new technology required by programmes in time and with the right Technology Readiness Level. In accordance with the decision by Council in 2005 to set a minimum overall return coefficient level of 0.94 to be reached for each Member State (0.84 at programme level), the formal review of the geographical distribution of contracts for the current five-year period to take place in 2010 was prepared in accordance with Annex V to the Convention, Article IV.5. This was therefore an important year for the implementation of improved measures for the proactive management of the geographical distribution of contracts, stemming from the FINPOL reform of June 2005. The Industrial Policy InterDirectorate Working Group (IPI) that took over from the FINPOL Working Group was in charge of finding structural solutions in terms of industrial return for all countries. Within the IPI terms of reference, the Special Initiative for under-returned countries (Austria, Ireland, Norway, Switzerland, Denmark and the United Kingdom) is under full implementation at contractual level regarding the updated work plan. The mechanisms for collecting the necessary funds for the Special Initiative are causation and solidarity through the GH-D mechanism, with a special focus on the solidarity principle. The overall effort made during the year totalled 102 million, including the 43 million Special Initiative co-funding part (of which 8 million was set aside for 2010). IPC and Adjudication Committee secretarial responsibilities were performed with even greater efficiency and effectiveness, with improvements in the timeliness and quality of documents and minutes. The inclusion of an IPC Roadmap as a permanent living document allowed broader control and visibility to Member State Delegations on IPC matters. The new ESA Small- and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) Policy, approved during the 2008 Ministerial Council, aimed at an ESA-wide action that translated mainly to a threefold increase in the level of activity within the framework of the LET-SME (Leading Edge Technology) initiative, dedicated to fostering the uptake of SME innovation by ESA Programmes.
Industrial Relations
Following the assessment of the European space industry in 2008, dedicated reports were produced and presented to the IPC. This work was instrumental for the Procurement and Industrial Policy reforms, in particular regarding the Product Policy plan of actions endorsed by the IPC. In line with IPC recommendations, a plan for further European space industry assessments will be prepared. Industry Outlook (an entity management tool) was used as the industry interface for registration on the Electronic Mailing Invitation to Tender System (EMITS), providing a unique source of structured information ESA-wide. Support to the Technology Harmonisation Process was provided, identifying future market size and assisting with the identification of potential players for the reviewed technologies.
Procurement Auditing
In addition to the recurring auditing activities related to industrial rates and the audits on cost reimbursement and cofunding contracts, activities also concentrated on the initiation of the Implementing Instruction relating to ESA audit rights on industrial rates. The instruction, endorsed by the IPC in November, will be followed by a new Annex 1 to the updated ESA General Clauses and Conditions of Contracts by Council in 2010. Other relevant activity was the continuation of the EGAS audit, to which was added an additional mandate for price comparisons of Ariane 5 batches PA and PB throughout the industrial sector involved in the production activities.
Procurement activities
815 Invitations to Tender (ITTs) were sent to industry in 2009: 337 in open competition 5 in restricted competition 473 in direct negotiation ESA also initiated 4327 contract actions: 910 Main Contracts 96 Riders 419 Work Orders 2 902 Contract Change Notices
Special initiatives, PECS and new Member States

In support of a Special Initiative, an Announcement of Opportunity for industry in Denmark was launched, with proposals evaluated and the placing of the selected contracts under way.
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In the area of the Plan for European Cooperating States (PECS) and new Member States, the majority of contracts resulting from the Announcement of Opportunity with Greece were placed during the year. The Announcement of Opportunity for industry in the Czech Republic was launched and met a strong response with highquality proposals and the finalisation of most of the contracts.
The selection of subcontractors for the EarthCARE satellite contract was also initiated, as were the procurement actions relating to the Sentinel-5 precursor. Finally, a particular procurement approach was devised for Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) Phase-B2/C/D and support to E-1, building on the principles approved at the 2008 Ministerial Council, and aiming at maximising competition at prime and subcontractor level. These principles were then approved by Participating States in IPC and reflected in the ITT issued to industry in July.
Science
Efforts were devoted to reshaping the ExoMars Project through a one-year contract extension to accommodate the international cooperation agreements and the resulting new baseline configuration. Following the end of the BepiColombo Preliminary Design Review process, in which the technical baseline design and solutions were eventually agreed, efforts were dedicated to negotiating the corresponding rebaselining of the project. IPC approval having been obtained, the corresponding Rider to the Implementation Phase is being finalised. Finally, the replanning of the LISA Pathfinder Implementation Phase also required updating of the contractual baseline design, which is being finalised after the IPC approved the corresponding Rider to the Implementation Phase.
Launchers
In June, the ESA/Arianespace Frame Contract for the procurement of launch services was signed. It constitutes one of the key elements of the new legal framework for launchers exploitation from 2009 onwards. The main purpose of this Frame Contract is to maximise the use of Ariane 5, Vega and Soyuz at CSG, while ensuring competitive launch service prices for ESA missions and defining a set of standard contractual provisions for all launch services procured by ESA from Arianespace. The initial contract on the evolution of the Ariane 5 launcher under the Ariane 5 Post-ECA programme was negotiated with Astrium as prime contractor. The crucial issue in the contract negotiations was the responsibility of the prime contractor for the evolution of the launcher design.
Education
The ESMO Moon Orbiter, a small satellite mission within ESAs Education Satellite Programme, will be launched as a secondary payload in late 2013 or early 2014. SSTL was selected as the prime contractor in 2009. The challenging aspect of this project is that no less than 21 teams from 19 European universities in different ESA Member and Cooperating States are taking part in the project. Through contractual relationships with the universities, academic staff will become an integral part of the development process, ensuring continuity as students come and go, as well as providing greater assurance of delivering a good final product. The system requirements and system design will be finalised in 2010.
Earth Observation
Efforts were devoted to the consolidation of the industrial consortia awarded the contracts for the GMES Sentinel-1A, 2A and 3A satellite contracts, by proceeding with the selection of subcontractors through the Best Practices procedure. Also, the procurement actions relating to the GMES Sentinel-1B, 2B and 3B satellites were initiated and completed.
ESAs Director of Launchers Antonio Fabrizi and Arianespaces Jean-Yves Le Gall sign the ESA/Arianespace Frame Contract in June
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Annual Report 2009
The Vega Research and Technology Accompaniment (VERTA) flights contract between ESA and Arianespace was signed in December. The contract provides a framework for demonstration flights with the smaller Vega launcher. The VERTA customer improvements contract, an ARTA-like activity, was signed in November with ELV as prime contractor. Relating to the contract for European Guaranteed Access to Space (EGAS) a rider for complementary commitments for a contract value of 175 million indexed on the batch PA launch service contract turnover was signed in November with Arianespace. The contract for Phase-C2 of the Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle, a key element in the Future Launcher Preparatory Programme, was also signed with Thales Alenia Space as prime contractor.
Telecommunications
The Iris System Design Phase-B contract related to ARTES 10 and dedicated to Air Traffic Management in support of the Single European Sky Initiative was placed with Thales Alenia Space. Furthermore, preparatory work for the European Data Relay System (EDRS) was initiated with three parallel Phase-A studies. Internal preparations for EDRS Phase-B/C/D/E1 were also begun. For the Small GEO Platform Contract (ARTES 11 sub-element 1) following the successful selection of the suppliers via Best Practices, the contractual implementation was performed and is nearing completion. Due to a technical change, an additional procurement action (Central Tube) had to be performed and was finalised in 2009.
Human Spaceflight
Phase-A procurement started for the Advanced Reentry Vehicle (ARV): placing of the first contract for ARV Phase-A advanced tasks and release of the RFQ for the full ARV Phase-A, evaluation of industrial proposals and start of ARV Phase-A full contract negotiations. The year also saw the signature of the European Experimental Reentry Testbed (Expert) Phase-C/D Contract and the completion of the Aurora Core Programme procurements. Finally, renegotiation of existing contractual agreements for ISS Exploitation Period 3 took place, implementing the results of the 2008 Ministerial Council with the subsequent placing of the Authorisation To Proceed with 2009 ISS Industrial Operator Team Operations.
Technology: Project for Onboard Autonomy (Proba)

Proba-2, the second technology demonstration satellite, including 17 technology experiments and four scientific payloads for solar and space weather observations, was launched on 2 November from Russias Plesetsk Cosmodrome on a Rockot as the secondary passenger together with ESAs Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) satellite. Proba-3 encountered significant technical and financial difficulties. After long negotiation, a Preliminary Authorisation to Proceed was signed by the Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) in May to allow the industrial consortium to carry out the work up to System Requirement Review. In the meantime, however, Sweden confirmed its official withdrawal from funding of Phases-C/D/E and SSC was obliged to relinquish its prime contractor role. An initial fallback solution was identified with CNES closely collaborating with ESA and providing the technical leadership for the Formation Flying System and System Requirement Review. This resulted in the placing of individual contracts by ESA with each of the other partners up to the end of Phase-B. Towards the end of the year, an alternative solution materialised, with Spain taking over the prime contractorship. Work on Proba-V proceeded nominally with some preliminary work under Phase-C/D being authorised in advance pending conversion from ceiling price to firm fixed price for Phases-C/D/E1.
Navigation
2009 saw a very important milestone reached in ESAs cooperation with the European Commission for the procurement of Galileo Full Operational Capability (FOC), with the completion of the main procurement actions including satellites, launch services and system support with corresponding contracts placed by ESA on behalf of the Commission with OHB-System, Arianespace and Thales Alenia Space respectively. This achievement, following on from a thorough and very constructive dialogue phase between industry, the Commission and ESA, was carried out in the context of a very different procurement regulatory framework for ESA, which required that the Agency adapt its procurement and contractual practices to the Commissions regulatory environment while retaining compatibility with large and complex space programme constraints.
General procurement
A manpower support forum was set up and reviewed the manpower contracting-related topics and issues with a view to paving the way for an ESTEC-wide manpower procurement due to be initiated in the course of 2010.
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Industrial activity and evolution of industrial return

Industrial activity included in ESAs fair return statistics increased with commitments amounting to some 2701 million1 in contracts with European and Canadian industry. Application programmes (Telecommunications, Navigation and Earth Observation) accounted for about 15.5% of the
total value of commitments, while 25.1% was related to Launchers, 24% to Human Spaceflight, Microgravity and Exploration, 16.2% to Scientific and Robotic Exploration, and 4.1% to Technology, with the remaining 15.1% to the General Budget and incentive schemes.
1 Amounts corresponding to commitments to industry under the Galileo IOV and GMES SC programmes are not yet included in the return statistics at end 2009, pending completion of the programmes following the relevant Council decisions.
0.01% 0.4% 0.6% 1.3% 1.9% 4.1% 7.0% 8.1% 14.5% 14.9% 22.1% 25.1%
Hungary Luxembourg Czech Republic Greece Finland Portugal Ireland Austria Canada Denmark Norway Sweden Switzerland Other Netherlands Belgium Spain United Kingdom Italy France Germany
Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Navigation Other programmes Robotic Exploration Microgravity Technology Telecommunications Earth Observation General Budget Science Human Spaceight & Exploration Launchers
0.1% 0.1% 0.2% 0.2% 0.3% 0.5% 0.6% 1% 1% 1% 1% 2% 3% 3% 4% 5% 5% 11% 12% 20% 28%
Commitments made to industry in 2009 per programme and per state
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Annual Report 2009
Finance and Corporate Controlling

Expenditure
ESAs total expenditure in 2009 amounted to: 5056 million in Contract Authority and 3773 million in Payment Appropriations ESAs Mandatory Activities represented 23% of the total expenditure (860 million) in Payment Appropriations whereas 67% was spent by Optional Programmes (2533 million) and 10% by programmes financed by third parties (380 million). The core elements of ESAs Mandatory Activities are the Science Programme, the Technology Research Programme and ESAs technical and operational infrastructure. During 2009, the Science Programmes budget remained at a level of 435 million, reflecting the Level of Resources in force and the entrance fee for Greece. The main Science Programme activities were implementation of the Gaia mission, JWST, BepiColombo, LISA Pathfinder and the launch of Herschel/ Planck. In addition, the Science Programme funded the operations of ten satellites in orbit. Expenditure on activities associated to the General Budget increased by 19%, mainly due to the Financial Management Reform. In January, the Director General/Directors Committee endorsed the ESA resource plan and the System Requirements Review Board was successful. During 2009, Phase-C/D was in progress involving design of the new processes, system solutions, associated training and overall organisational changes as well as data conversion, with the operational implementation planned for January 2010. The development of applications is provided via ESAs Optional Programmes, in which Member States participate through a voluntary subscription. In 2009, expenditure by the Optional Programmes increased by 15% compared to 2008. In 2009, 693 million (13%) of the total ESA budget was spent on Launchers. The main activities were the consolidation and implementation of the Ariane 5 launcher, preparation of a future launcher, construction of the Soyuz launch facilities at Kourou, development of the Vega small launcher and the programme in support of European Guaranteed Access to Space. Expenditure on the Human Spaceflight and Microgravity Programmes, which accounted for 14% of ESAs total expenditure, was increased by 15%. Expenditure mainly covered the development, exploitation and utilisation of the ISS with two missions, OasISS and Aliss, including many experiments utilising the internal facilities and external research platforms of the Columbus laboratory. In addition, the integration of ATV Johannes Kepler was in progress with launch scheduled for the end of 2010. Earth Observation accounted for 16% of ESA expenditure in 2009 with spending of 586 million. Development of Sentinel-1, -2 and -3 under the GMES Space Component programme got fully under way, accounting for 289 million side by side with development of the family of Earth Explorer missions (GOCE, ADM-Aeolus, SMOS, CryoSat, Swarm, EarthCARE), which totalled 273 million. Both GOCE and SMOS were launched, in March and November respectively. The Navigation Programmes represented 7% of ESAs total expenditure, mainly covering implementation of the Galileo Programme but also EGNOS Support and GNSS Evolution. A total of 185 million was spent on Galileo, including the operations of both the GIOVE-A and -B satellites and the deployment and integration of ground control facilities and centres. In addition, activities related to the completion of the IOV Phase and preparation of Full Operational Capability, with evaluation and negotiation of industry proposals, were undertaken as part of the third party activities funded by the European Union. In the Telecommunications area, expenditure amounted to 299 million (8% of 2009 expenditure). The main areas were the support of telecommunication technology activities and industry competitiveness (covered by ARTES elements 1, 3, 4 and 5), as well as the development of the large platform Alphabus and the Alphasat payload and satellite consolidation activities (both projects covered within ARTES 8). Regarding Small GEO, covered by ARTES 11, the expenditure represented continued progress on Phase-C/D for the platform and Phase-B for the mission. Robotic Exploration covered 1.6% (60 million) of total expenditure, mainly covering the finalisation of the requirements and definition phase of Aurora/ExoMars, as well as the good progression of the technology developments needed for the Enhanced ExoMars Mission. The new area of Space Situational Awareness represented 0.1% (3 million) of total expenditure. Activities were initiated in the area of the Core Element and Space Weather. Around 86% (3% higher than the average of previous years) of ESAs 2009 budget was spent on contracts in the Member States for research or project-related activities, the running of technical or operational facilities, and the financing of capital expenditure and industrial development.
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FACILITIES
376 M
1 3 2 4
TOTAL
Expenditure per function
STAFF EXPENDITURE
421 M
RUNNING EXPENDITURE
124 M
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE
320 M
3773 m
DEVELOPMENT
2533 M
LAUNCHERS
693 M
SPACE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS

3 M
EARTH OBSERVATION
586 M
ROBOTIC EXPLORATION
60 M
HUMAN SPACEFLIGHT
463 M
MICROGRAVITY
74 M
SCIENCE
436 M
TOTAL
Expenditure per programme domain
TECHNOLOGY & EXPLORATION

108 M
THIRD PARTIES
380 M
3773 m
ASSOCIATED GENERAL BUDGET

201 M
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
299 M
GENERAL BUDGET NAVIGATION

248 M 224 M
Expenditure per function and per programme for 2009
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Annual Report 2009
Income
ESA Mandatory Activities (including the General Budget, the Associated General Budget and the Science Programme) are financed by Member State and Cooperating State contributions. The ESA Convention dictates that the Agencys Mandatory Activities are to be financed using a contribution scale based on Member States national incomes over the last three years for which statistics are available. In November 2008, the ESA Council adopted a new scale for the period 200912.
ESA Optional Programmes are financed by Member and Cooperating State contributions and by third parties including the EU. Participating States declare a voluntary subscription on a multi-annual basis. Third Party Programmes are managed by ESA but totally financed by third parties. In 2009, they represented 10% of ESA activity.
2009 Mandatory Activities

Austria Belgium Czech Republic Denmark Finland France Germany Greece Ireland Italy Luxembourg Netherlands Norway Portugal Spain Sweden Switzerland United Kingdom Total Member States Canada Hungary Poland Romania Total Cooperating States Total ESA 103.79% 3.79% 100.00% 1.00% 2.20% 2.71% 0.82% 1.76% 1.41% 15.49% 20.65% 1.86% 1.23% 12.27% 0.23% 4.67% 2.24% 1.24% 7.99% 2.64% 3.19% 17.40% 100.00% 3.79%
Optional Programmes
1.47% 6.27% 0.08% 0.71% 0.47% 28.60% 22.68% 0.05% 0.27% 15.41% 0.51% 3.10% 1.26% 0.31% 5.78% 2.13% 3.18% 6.72% 99.00% 0.77% 0.09% 0.05% 0.09%
Contributions from Member and Cooperating States to ESAs Mandatory Activities and Optional Programmes in 2009
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Financial Management Reform

ESAs Member States decided to completely overhaul the Agencys financial management system. This project will provide ESA programmes with a common integrated model for the management of resources, promote efficient and effective use of public funds and reinforce transparency and trust with ESA stakeholders. The Financial Management Reform (FINREF) development Phase-C, involving a staged delivery with four releases (R1a, R1b, R1c and R2), progressed on a tight schedule with a timely completion of its milestones for the first and main release: System Requirements Review (early December 2008), Critical Design Review (end May 2009), Test Readiness Review (early September 2009) and Operational Readiness Review (mid-December 2009) during which it was confirmed that FINREF Release 1a would go live in January 2010.
In mid-2009, design of the Industrial Policy functionality (R1b) started: Critical Design Review (mid-November 2009) and Test Readiness Review (early December 2009). Release 1b was planned for the end of April 2010. In September, design of the further planning and reporting functionality (R1c) started. The Critical Design Review was planned for the beginning of January 2010 and Release 1c completion for the end of July 2010. The Financial Management Model covers the Budget Management Model, the Accounting Model, the Cost Management Model and the Controlling Model. The main features of this new model are: the shift from the current annual budget dimension to multiyear, aligning with the time dimension of ESAs activities, the full implementation of accrual accounting and IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standards) principles, the introduction of cost accounting and fixed asset capitalisation/depreciation.
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future & plans
future & plans

Preparing for the future is an essential part of ESA activities, from the General Studies Programme and the various scenarios proposed under the Long-term Plan to developing ESA sites and infrastructure in order to meet the Agencys long-term strategic priorities and objectives.
General Studies Programme

2009 was a very significant year in the history of the General Studies Programme (GSP). Following the directions given by the 2008 Ministerial Council, and in order to ensure greater and improved preparation of future missions at corporate level, an effort has been made to increase the volume of Phase-A studies. As a result, for the first time, systematic and simultaneous consultation took place with all ESA Directorates about their needs with respect to mission and programme preparation activities, resulting both in the definition of a set of criteria on the priorities for GSP funding and in an updated GSP 200910 work plan with activities being implemented in the course of the year. As a consequence, GSP Phase-0 and Phase-A work was stepped up and extended to further optional programmes, such as the Earth Explorers (with a contribution being made towards funding of the system assessment work), the European Data Relay Satellite (EDRS) with all three parallel Phase-A studies funded from the GSP, the Advanced Reentry Vehicle (ARV) studies, and the Mars and Robotic Exploration Programme preparatory system studies. In addition to this, key ESA corporate strategy studies were also implemented, such as the assessment of the impact of the economic crisis on the space sector, the analysis of ESAs environmental footprint, and the evaluation of environmental regulation and its potential effect on space industry activities.
Just one of the areas where GSP work was stepped up: the Advanced Reentry Vehicle (ARV) could provide ESA with the means of undertaking complete space transportation missions, from launch to landing, using the ISS The study contract for ARV was signed, in the presence of ESAs Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain, by ESAs Director of Human Spaceflight, Simonetta Di Pippo, and Senior Vice-President/Head of Orbital Systems and Exploration at EADS Astrium, Dr Michael Menking (EADS Astrium)
In the area of advanced system studies, topics such as nanosatellite platforms and their role in technology miniaturisation and integration across subsystems, the environmental impact of spacecraft design and end-of-life deorbiting techniques were assessed and recommendations provided to the relevant ESA programmes. GSP communication strategy focused on improving intranet portal content and the development of dedicated search tools and look-up tables. The ultimate objective of all this work, which will eventually be extended to the GSP website, is to make all study results available to all users in a seamless way.
Future & plans
Advanced Concepts Team

The Advanced Concepts Team (ACT) strengthened and consolidated its role as an in-house think tank, exploring new areas, spinning in advanced research results from non-space domains and examining indicators for disruptive innovation in space. Not only was the teams European academic research network expanded and its interactions intensified through the introduction of new Web 2.0 collaboration platforms, but also the team made a considerable effort to increase the quality and accessibility of its results within ESA (e.g. videos of all the final presentations of Ariadna studies, intranet, close coordination with Networking Partnering Initiative, Innovation Triangle Initiative and Education Office activities). Exchanges also increased with the European space industry and national agencies, in particular through a joint prospective workshop with CNES, and several meetings with interested firms on very advanced research topics, and with the general research community at large: the ACT issued 44 scientific publications, including 14 peer-reviewed articles, 1 book, 4 book chapters, 19 conference papers and 6 Ariadna final reports, as well as relaunching Acta Futura as a quality online journal for cross-disciplinary scientific papers. Last but not least, the team achieved best European and third best overall positions in the 2009 Global Trajectory Optimisation Competition, demonstrating the performance of advanced tools it has researched.
Long-term Plan
The 10-year Long-term Plan (LTP) 201019 illustrates ESAs strategic objectives and priorities within the European Space Policy (ESP), as well as the resulting set of ongoing and planned programmes with the corresponding financial profiles for the next ten years. Among the ESPs overarching European strategic objectives, ESA has its own specific objectives and priorities (as adopted by ESAs 2008 Ministerial Council through the Resolution on The role of space in delivering Europes global objectives) with the aim of asserting itself as a global space agency, strategic for Europe in meeting its ambitions on the world stage. To achieve these objectives, the LTP 201019 is built on one scenario for the 201013 period and two scenarios for the period from 2014 onwards, the latter reflecting the model identified and analysed during preparation for the 2008 Ministerial Council and illustrated in the LTP 200918.
An electrostatic tractor concept for asteroid deflection: The first International Academy of Astronautics Planetary Defence Conference was held in Granada, Spain, in April 2009. Among the topics under discussion were preparations for the near-Earth flyby of asteroid Apophis in 2029 (F. Annecchini/17pm)
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Scenario 1 Basic Scenario

In this scenario, existing commitments entered into by ESA Member States (e.g. Cosmic Vision, robotic exploration, launchers, ISS exploitation) and the European Union (Galileo, GMES) are respected, but no new initiatives on a significant scale are envisaged in the decade to come. Europe remains a partner in international cooperation mainly led by the United States, maintains its level of technical and industrial capabilities to guarantee its autonomous access to space, but does not undertake innovative development in key strategic areas (e.g. new launchers, exploration, environmental policies and security).
Scenario 3 Breakthrough in Human Exploration and Launchers

If previous scenarios represent the possible range of European support to future space activities without significant discontinuity with respect to the usual business of ESA, the Breakthrough in Human Exploration and Launchers scenario introduces a major step forward in the European space programme. The proposed step forward originates essentially from the strong political support given at the Fifth Space Council in September 2008 to a primary role for Europe in particular in a future global human exploration endeavour, and in which the overall transportation scenario, including unmanned future launchers, should benefit from synergies on reentry activities. The materialisation of this scenario would have to rely not only on political support, but also above all on increases larger than in Scenario 2 of both Member States contributions and EU financial support to European programmes. The three scenarios were discussed with ESA Member States at the December Council meeting.
Scenario 2 Support to Selected Fields of Activities

Additional funding is expected to come from the EUs new Financial Perspectives as of 2014. Also, ESA Member States are expected to increase their contribution to ESA from 2014. In addition to the activities identified in the first scenario, further important undertakings would be possible within Scenario 2, in particular in human exploration, launchers, security and applications related to the environment, development and climate change.
Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain in discussion with Adam Sowa, European Defence Agency Deputy Chief Executive (left), and Claude-France Arnould, Deputy Director General , Crisis Management & Planning Directorate, of the EU Council at the Space for Security and Defence workshop (EDA)
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Future & plans
Security
More than 120 delegates representing European institutional stakeholders and industry across the civilian, security and defence domain attended the Space for Security and Defence workshop jointly organised by the European Defence Agency (EDA), European Commission and ESA in Brussels on 16 September. ESA is participating in the Structured Dialogue on Space and Security, together with the Commission, the EU Council and EDA, and was invited by EDA during the ESA Council in December to participate in the European Framework Cooperation entailing a coordinated R&T approach in the security domain for Europe. The activities performed, in particular those related to short-term actions (i.e. those necessary to fulfil obligations undertaken at the 2008 Ministerial Council in terms of programmes and to cope with maintenance, safety and health issues, in particular at ESA Headquarters), were regularly reported to Council throughout 2009. Following a recommendation expressed at the October Council meeting, a dedicated HQ Project was started, supported by a working group with the participation of Member State delegations. The preliminary findings of the internal reflection on the long-term evolution were presented to Member State delegations in a dedicated workshop in November. At the December Council meeting it was recommended to continue and complete the activity in 2010, through enlarged consultation with Member States, with the objective of proposing a development scheme for the evolution of the sites and infrastructure of ESA, including short- and long-term aspects, by the end of 2010.
Evolution of ESA sites and infrastructure

The evolution of ESA sites and infrastructure developed along two coordinated tracks: short-term actions and long-term considerations on the evolution of the sites in the next 1520 years.
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history project & records management
history project & records management

Europes history of excellence in space is one of the most visible achievements of European cooperation in science and technology that started over 50 years ago. Since 1990, historians of science have been producing independent academic histories of ESA and its predecessor organisations, ESRO and ELDO.
After ten years of intensive work, the second phase of the ESA History Project has been completed. Eight longer space histories have now been published covering the development of space activities in Germany, the UK, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Austria and Finland. The authors of these books include doctoral students writing their dissertations, such as Niklas Reinke of Germany, Dawinka Laureys of Belgium, Matthew Godwin of the UK and Stephan Zellmeyer of Switzerland, or a team of authors involving scientific historians in the case of Italy (Michelangelo de Maria, Lucia Orlando, Filippo Pigliacelli et al) and Spain (Jos Mara Dorado Gutirrez et al), Ilkka Seppinen and Risto Pellinen of Finland and Bruno Besser of Austria.
The European Centre for Space Records at ESRIN, Italy ESA History Project publications
History project & records management
Alexandre Koyr medal

The International Academy of the History of Science awarded the Alexandre Koyr medal for 2009 to the ESA History Project. A small ceremony took place at ESA headquarters in Paris on 4 September 2009. Professors John Krige and Arturo Russo, two of the main authors of the ESA History, are currently working on two separate research programmes sponsored by NASA. John Krige, who is now working at the Georgia Institute of Technology in the USA, is currently writing the history of NASAs international relations in space, in particular the chapter on US/European relations. Arturo Russo has been awarded the first History of the Science Society (HSS)/ NASA fellowship to support a study on the history of the Huygens mission which will be published in a book on Solar System exploration edited by Roger Launius (Senior Curator, Division of Space History, National Air and Space Museum, Washington DC).
Oral history
Another activity that makes an important contribution to preserving Europes space heritage is the conducting of history interviews with a number of European space pioneers. The objective is to record the memories and experiences of those individuals in each ESA Member State who played a central role in the development of European space cooperation, and to make them accessible to researchers and the public. So far, 30 have been completed and placed online. The transcripts can be consulted at the European University Institute (EUI) website www.arc.eui.eu/ HAEU/EN/Oh_esa.asp. It is planned to expand this collection until all ESA Member States are represented.
Corporate memory and Records management

The long-term preservation and controlled dissemination of the invaluable sources in which the Agencys memory, knowledge and
President of the International Academy of the History of Science, Eberhard Knobloch (right), presents ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain with the Alexandre Koyr medal
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knowhow reside is an extremely important objective for ESA. This legacy material represents the continuity of the European endeavour in space and testifies to the sustained commitment of the Agencys founding members and key players. ESA began consolidating its corporate memory records 20 years ago when it signed a deposit contract with the EUI (Florence, Italy), which also hosted the historical archives of the EU and OECD. In so doing, ESA had three objectives: to safeguard the heritage of its forerunner organisations (COPERS, CETS, ESC, ELDO, ESRO); to provide a solid archival and historical base for research on the building of a European space power; and to promote its achievements through increased transparency regarding its decision-making process and the management of its programmes.
EUI President Yves Mny studies images of the Villa Salviati premises with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano (left) at the inauguration of the new archives in December 2009
Villa Salviati, in Florence, new home of the EU Historical Archives, hosting ESAs legacy from December 2009
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History project & records management
With the EUI being one of the most attractive and stimulating world-class places of learning, this cooperation significantly enhanced the visibility of ESA within the various research communities and among EU stakeholders. The bulk of records older than 15 years on European collaboration and joint undertakings in space preserved at the EUI now amounts to more than 35000 files. In 2009, 985 additional files (official meeting-related documents from 1994) were rearranged, properly described in EURhistAR, and made available to researchers, in addition to the 30 testimonies collected in the framework of the Oral History Project. The magnificent Villa Salviati in Florence is being converted into the permanent seat of the Historical Archives of the European Union (HAEU). The new premises were officially inaugurated on 17 December 2009 in the presence of the President of Italy, Giorgio Napolitano, and prominent representatives of the European Commission and European Parliament. ESA also recently concluded a convention de dpt with the Muse de lAir et de lEspace (Le Bourget, France) to ensure the preservation of invaluable film and audiovisual content. More than 400 audiovisual records are currently indexed.
A living record
Since 11 September 2001, records management has been regarded as risk management applied to recorded information. To face the challenges ahead, ESA is currently adopting a set of policies and procedures to govern the management of information, in particular in digital format. Among the pilot projects undertaken, ESAs electronic Council, Committee and Programme Board (eCPB) portal was introduced to enhance and document the decision-making process, to foster coordination with, within and among national delegations, thus strengthening good governance and accountability. eCPB gives official accredited representatives and authorised users from ESA Member States online access to the Agencys official documents from 1995 onwards (agendas and minutes of meetings, final resolutions, rules and regulations, programme declarations, as well as working documents appearing on the agenda). These papers, as well as the related debates, are covered by the 15-year access rule alluded to above.
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facilities
ESTEC
The Mechanical Systems Laboratory was used extensively to verify developments for projects such as LISA Pathfinder, Sentinel, Proba-2, Proba-V and the James Webb Space Telescope, as well as to address in-orbit anomalies and to support R&D activities. A hot-cycling facility has been commissioned that allows efficient thermal cycling between 100C and 550C for BepiColombo elements. Activities for the accreditation of the Materials and Components Laboratories culminated with a preliminary assessment by the Dutch Accreditation Council (RvA) of the ESTEC Cobalt-60 facility for total ionising radiation of EEE components. This exercise involved the establishment of a quality management system, as well as developing the necessary technical procedures for independent evaluation by the RvA. This year, the laboratories were mainly working on the characterisation of solar cells under consideration for use on BepiColombo, which will encounter a very harsh radiation environment. Also, the laser-based Earth observation instruments to be carried on ADM-Aeolus and Earthcare require extensive testing to determine solutions that minimise the effects of laser-induced contamination. The resolution enhancement installed on the heavily used X-ray tomography systems proved to be extremely valuable for the non-destructive testing of a very wide range of EEE components, materials and small space hardware items such as microthrusters and valves. Upgrades performed in the Radio Frequency Payload Systems Laboratories have been immediately used to support the GaN reliability enhancement with highprecision parametric measurements and endurance tests under varied conditions. After moving into its new accommodation in 2008, the Concurrent Design Facility became fully operational in 2009, conducting more than 16 studies and reviews on future ESA missions. ESAs Certification of European test centres has achieved remarkable success and recognition, proving to be an important service to the European space community. Certified test centres include the ESTEC Test Centre, IABG in Ottobrunn, Thales Alenia Space test centres in Rome and Cannes, and CSL in Lige. Preliminary assessment of other test centres was also carried out and it is expected that the number of certified test centres will increase in the near future.
ATV-2 Equipment Avionic Bay in the Large Space Simulator at ESTEC
Facilities
Several large spacecraft and numerous smaller items passed through their test campaigns in the ESTEC Test Centre, making use of the latest test and verification facilities. Herschel completed its test campaign in February ready for launch later in the year. LISA Pathfinder completed its extended vibration test campaign. The thermal vacuum acceptance test of the ATV-2 Equipment Avionic Bay was performed in the Large Space Simulator (LSS) before final integration in the ATV-2 system. The Gaia sunshield was extensively tested in the LSS including deployment in cold conditions. The new infrared camera system development was completed in time, and used effectively to measure the temperature of the sunshield under solar illumination. Major LSS facility refurbishments took place, for example the primary pumping system replacement was completed in August, simulator refurbishment went ahead with the installation of the first 30 new mirror segments, and the procurement of the following 30 segments as well as the new lamp reflectors. Modifications were implemented to adapt the LSS solar simulator to BepiColombo requirements. These modifications were being validated at the end of the year. The new Phenix thermal vacuum facility was also validated, complementing the satellite thermal vacuum test facilities. BepiColombo, ExoMars and Galileo are already scheduled to use the facility. Maintaining state-of-the-art test facilities is a priority for the ESTEC Test Centre, and this is being achieved with in-house engineering and industry support. Efforts have been made to attract new customers, and there has been some success in bringing the vibration and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) test facilities into use for non-space applications.
ESRIN
ESRINs core role as payload operations centre for ESAs Earth observation missions was strengthened and extended by the start of the operational exploitation phases of the first three Earth Explorers. In the GMES programme, work continued on preparing ground segment operations for several of the satellites in the upcoming Sentinel suite, and on further Earth Explorer missions. Science and application development was pursued further on site, as was management of the International Charter Space and Major Disasters. The Vega launcher development team made good progress, while Financial Management Reform implementation saw the establishment of a special infrastructure including dedicated computer rooms. With the aim of making ESRIN more environment-friendly, sunlight collectors were installed to supply various buildings with warm water. As a result, an equivalent of 24 tons of CO2 per year was saved from discharge into the atmosphere. The next step will be the installation of solar photovoltaic panels providing 185 kW of power, further reducing what ESRIN draws from the electricity grid and helping to make the site greener. The face of ESRIN has also changed, with a new storage facility finished in early 2009. A new canteen contract brought various improvements: ESRINs workplace canteen is the first in Italy with a Zero Impact certification, which equates to a net zero carbon footprint. Since April, ESRIN has also had its own Health, Safety and Security officer responsible for procedure maintenance and site security.
Public events were managed during ESRINs Open Day in March during the European Researchers Night organised jointly with research centres from the Frascati area
Astronaut Frank de Winne guides Albert II, King of the Belgians, and Queen Paola during their visit to EAC in March
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Annual Report 2009
ESAC
ESAC continued to consolidate its infrastructure to meet the standard found at other ESA establishments. Accordingly, the visitors entrance was rebuilt to comply fully with health and safety and security requirements, while new air conditioning and uninterrupted power supply systems were installed in critical data centres and the detailed design of the multipurpose building was finalised. ESAC hosts the Science Operations Department, responsible for the science operations of ESAs Astronomy and Solar System missions, as well as the science data archives where data for 13 ESA science missions (ISO, XMM-Newton, Integral, Herschel, Planck, Exosat, Soho, Giotto, Mars Express, Venus Express, Rosetta, SMART-1 and Huygens) are stored. These attract about 10 million data requests per year, making ESAC the principal centre and Virtual Observatory node for European space-based astronomical and planetary data. Current missions in operation with science operations at ESAC are XMM-Newton, Integral, Mars Express, Venus Express, Rosetta, Herschel and Planck. Upcoming ones are Gaia, LISA Pathfinder and BepiColombo. Definition work is also ongoing on the science operations for the Cosmic Vision studies including Euclid, Plato and Solar Orbiter. The SMOS satellite, for which ESAC provides both the Instrument Operations and the Data Processing Ground Segment, had its first scientific data received and processed at ESAC only two weeks after launch, the culmination of an intense period of preparatory work and campaigns in the first months of 2009, including the complete deployment of the SMOS ground segment hardware and software on site. Following the switch-on of the MIRAS instrument, the scientific community and calibration and project experts gathered at ESAC for the commissioning phase, working hand in hand with the local operations and calibration teams. The Space Situational Awareness Preparatory Programme was formally launched on 1 January and later in the year, managers responsible for key aspects of the programme, covering the Space Surveillance and Tracking (S&T), as well as Space Weather SSA segments, moved to ESAC as the first members of the SSA Project Team to be located there. In addition, a dedicated Data Control Centre room was created for the Test & Validation of S&T Precursor Services.
ESOC & the stations

Studies on the evolution of ESOCs Operational Control Centre have resulted in a number of recommendations for modernisation, including accommodation of Galileo Launch and Early Orbit Phase facilities, refurbishment of operations control rooms and deployment of a new video distribution system with enhanced resolution based on IP technology. While the ESA tracking network has a satisfactory average utilisation load of up to 70%, with a peak for polar missions in 201012, the medium- to long-term ESA programme requirements will result in a reduction of utilisation of the ESTRACK 15-metre station network, coinciding with an increased need for tracking time from 35-metre deep space stations. Accordingly, ESTRACKs evolution is being amended to ensure support to future missions while maintaining an adequate level of robustness and efficiency.
Ariane 5 V188 with Herschel and Planck on board rises above ESAs 15 m ESTRACK tracking station at Kourou, French Guiana, on 14 May 2009
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Facilities
Centralising and automation of ESTRACK operations has been steadily increased with new components of the ESTRACK Management System, with the result that the station schedules can now be followed in real time. The Space Debris conference, 30 March to 2 April, provided an opportunity to inform the 20 attending media organisations and organise over 50 interviews Europe-wide. Demand for visits to ESAs operations centre is still on the rise. In view of the facilities and recent security requirements, the maximum capacity of the centre has been reached with over 16 000 visits per year. ESAs Redu ground station successfully performed the launch and early orbit phase (LEOP) of Proba-2 and, as main control centre, handles the operations of both Proba satellites. The deployment of Galileo In-orbit Testing facilities started at Redu and will continue into 2010 to provide support in the In-orbit Validation (IOV) phase. In parallel, the hosting of facilities in support of European telecommunication operators (i.e. back-up facilities for the SES Astra System), provides full synergies with other ESA activities.
CSG
In March, a contract was signed to ensure availability of the Centre Spatial Guyanais (CSG) launch range for ESA programmes and activities and for the exploitation of Ariane, Vega and Soyuz launchers from 2009 to 2013. This constitutes the new legal framework, which includes, in particular, an agreement between ESA and the French Government on CSG and associated services.
Harwell
The opening of the ESA Harwell centre was celebrated on 22 July. The centre is located on the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire, home to a large community of scientists and engineers. ESA intends to integrate its activities into this environment, making optimum use of the existing expertise and facilities. The ESA team moved into provisional accommodation in August 2009. A bespoke building is planned to be ready by 2012. Negotiations on a host agreement have started. October was marked by the arrival in Harwell of the first representatives of the programme teams: the Head of the ESA Climate Office began working in Harwell, as did the Head of the Ambassador Platform in the UK for Integrated Applications Promotion. There was intense and enthusiastic interaction with the established Harwell community and throughout the UK with the aim of identifying potential areas of cooperation and synergy so as to allow ESA in Harwell to operate as efficiently as possible. Preparations for the creation of an ESA Business Incubator were completed in partnership with UK government agencies.
EAC
The EAC building underwent interior improvements, including ISS control room infrastructure upgrades, enabling EAC to implement training and simulations for flight controllers of additional ISS User Support Centres, as requested by the ISS programme. In addition to the continuous process of maintaining operational facilities and improving the quality and adaptation of the training facilities for the major European elements to the ISS, the heavy training load also drove the upgrade of the facilities with the construction of additional classrooms and training booths in the big training hall. The number of international ISS astronauts in training at EAC reached its maximum level (about 50% more than two years ago), signalling the end of the transition to a permanent six-person crew on the ISS. Construction work was taking place when Albert II, King of the Belgians, and Queen Paola visited EAC in March. Their visit was brought about by the participation of Belgian ESA astronaut Frank de Winne in ISS Expeditions 20 and 21. Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain and Director of Human Spaceflight Simonetta Di Pippo presented ESA activities in general, and more specifically in the domain of human spaceflight. After sampling European space food produced for ISS crews, the royal party were given a guided tour of the EAC installations including explanations about astronaut activities. Construction of the new facilities was finished in time for the start of basic training of ESAs new astronauts, maintaining EACs position as a first-class training and operations facility, and drawing high praise from astronauts as well as the operations and training community.
ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain presents an ESA flag to Lord Drayson, UK Minister for Science and Innovation, at the London launch of the new ESA facility at Harwell
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accounts
Notes to the Financial Statements

ESAs Annual Accounts are summarised in four main financial statements presented here, including comparative information for year 2008. Among the assets, the 975 million balance of Cash and Banks does not include the funds managed for the Pension Scheme. The latter represent the financed portion of the scheme, invested in the so-called Buffer Fund, and are presented as non-current assets. The total obligation of the Pension Scheme towards the active and retired staff and deferred pensions of ESA, including post-service medical obligations, is reevaluated at 1884 million in 2009 following the adoption of the recognised accounting standards on Employees Benefits IPSAS 25. The not-yet-financed portion is shown under net assets as an amount to be called from Member States. One of the main current assets represents 213 million of advance payments to suppliers, made across ESAs ongoing programmes. Until the relevant services are tested and accepted, these payments are considered as a claim towards the contractor companies. Among the liabilities, the Prepaid Contributions and the funds available in the Regulation Fund represent balances due to Member States, whereas Accrued Payables are obligations towards suppliers for invoices received but not yet paid, or cost incurred in 2009 but not yet invoiced. The ESA liability for Staff Untaken Leave represents the value of the number of days of leave accrued by staff members but not yet taken at year-end or cancelled. The net effect of provisions and accruals is reflected in the Reserve for Accruals and Provisions item. The 318 million debit balance in 2009 can be considered as a net accumulated excess of liabilities over assets recognised in the accounts. Provisions and accruals are included in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities in order to provide a comprehensive picture of all claims, entitlements and obligations of the Agency, but at this stage of the transition to accrual accounting they are not financed. Therefore, the net effect of reversed accruals of the previous year and new accruals is identified on separate lines of the Statement of Income and Expenditure which adjusts the expenditure of the year in order to show the total cost incurred. In 2009, this balance amounted to a 127 million net decrease of restated prior-year accruals. The Statement of Changes in Net Assets/Equity illustrates the allocation of the Surplus in the following year, part of which is represented by the net effect of accruals and provisions. This part is consolidated in the Reserve for Accruals and Provisions. The 2009 Surplus amounts to 979 million, inclusive of 1266 million of under-spending of the budget allocations, 45 million of excess actual income over the budget on ESA programmes and 459 million of deficit on Third Party programmes with other minor balances, and 127 million net decrease of restated prior-year accruals.
Accounts
Audit opinion to Council

We have audited the Annual Accounts of the European Space Agency for 2009, issued under document reference ESA/ AF(2010)1, rev. 1 dated 20 August 2010, which comprise the statement of income and expenditure, the statement of assets and liabilities as at 31 December 2009, the cash flow statement and the statement of changes in net assets/equity for the year then ended and the related notes to the financial statements including the Memorandum Accounts. opinion on the effectiveness of the entitys internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the Annual Accounts. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.
Statement of responsibilities
The Director General of the European Space Agency is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these Annual Accounts, in accordance with the requirements of the Financial Regulations authorised by the Council. This responsibility includes designing, implementing and maintaining a system of internal control; the preparation and fair presentation of Annual Accounts that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error; selecting and applying appropriate accounting policies; and making accounting estimates that are reasonable in the circumstances. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Annual Accounts, including the material regularity of the transactions, based on our audit which has been performed in accordance with Chapter V, Article 2 of the Financial Regulations and Chapters II and III of Annex I to the Financial Regulations.
Opinion on the Annual Accounts 2009

Qualification uncertainties about the completeness and valuation of fixed assets disclosed in the Memorandum Accounts
The Financial Regulations (Chapter IV, Article 2) require that a permanent ad valorem inventory of the property of the Agency acquired under each activity or programme and under the support activities shall be kept in the form defined by the Financial Instructions. Tangible fixed assets are valued at acquisition cost in the Memorandum Accounts, namely the inventory of fixed assets. Such assets are not recognised as part of the statement of assets and liabilities but are disclosed as a note to the Annual Accounts. Given the resulting uncertainties in the opening balance of the Memorandum Accounts for 2009 and that the result of the audit work performed on the 2009 accounts has not obtained sufficient assurance on a significant improvement in the management of assets, we consider that the Memorandum Accounts are still affected by material uncertainties regarding completeness and valuation of the recorded fixed assets. Except for the effects of the above matter on the Annual Accounts 2009, in our opinion: the Annual Accounts 2009 present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the European Space Agency as at 31 December 2009 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended and are prepared in accordance with the stated accounting policies; and the transactions of the European Space Agency tested as part of our audit have in all material respects been made in accordance with the budget provisions, the Financial Regulations, and relevant legislative authorities of the Agency. Details of this matter are set out in our Annual Report for the European Space Agency 2009, which we have issued in accordance with Chapter V, Article 2 of the Financial Regulations and Chapters II and III of Annex I to these Financial Regulations.
Basis of opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing, issued by the International Auditing and Assurances Standards Board, and in accordance with the Financial Regulations. Those Standards require that we comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement and whether, in all material respects the transactions are in accordance with the budget provisions, the Financial Regulations, and relevant legislative authorities of the Agency. An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the Annual Accounts. The procedures selected depend on the auditors judgement including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the Annual Accounts, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entitys preparation and fair presentation of the Annual Accounts in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an
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i) Emphasis of Matter in relation to the stated accounting policies

The stated Accounting Policies for 2009 assert that the Agency has tentatively applied the accrual accounting method to its Financial Statements, based on IPSAS as far as possible given the limits of the current financial system and as required by its Financial Regulations, without reaching IPSAS compliance. Amongst the gaps identified between the Agencys current account system and IPSAS requirements, the main departure from the standards (with reference to IPSAS 17) is in the area of fixed assets. In addition to IPSAS 17 there are a number of significant areas where compliance with accruals-based IPSAS has yet to be achieved, in particular the full application of the accruals concept for all expenditures and income; accounting for European Commission funding; the current presentation of budgetary transactions incorporated with actual transactions; disclosures in relation to related parties and senior staff remuneration; recognition of other provisions and other probable future liabilities; and disclosure of expenditure by the nature of the expense or by function, including segmental reporting.
Signed in Paris, on 1 September 2010, by the Audit Commission
Staffan Nystrm
Chairman
Wim Schellekens
Chairman Emeritus
Graham Miller Philippe Roland
Member Member
ii) Emphasis of Matter in relation to accounting for Galileo FOC, IOV Delta Costs and EGNOS Exploitation programmes
As disclosed in the Foreword to the Annual Accounts, the Agency has recognised income and expenditure respectively of 294 million and 275 million in the Annual Accounts 2009, relating to Galileo FOC and IOV Delta Costs and EGNOS. The Executive considers such accounting treatment is required by the Financial Regulations in force during 2009. As transactions for these programmes are made on behalf of the EC rather than the Agency, compliance with IPSAS requires such amounts to be treated as liabilities and assets and not as income and expenditure.
iii) Emphasis of Matter in relation to accounting for European Commission funding for GMES Space Component Segment 1 programme
For GMES Space Component Segment 1 programme the arrangements between the Agency and the EC mean that funding and costs incurred are recorded as income and expenditure of the Agency. As disclosed in Note II to the Annual Accounts, the Agency has departed from the accounting policy on income and recognised 80.6 million as income based on the cost report to be submitted and approved by the EC. In consequence income is overstated in the Annual Accounts 2009 by 80.6 million.
111
Accounts
STATEmENT OF INCOmE AND EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEmbER 2009 (in thousand )
2009
OPERATING INCOME Contributions Other Income Third Party Programmes Income Plan for European Cooperating States Management Outputs/Esrange Income Suspense Output Internal Tax Income Extraordinary Accrued Income Total operating income OPERATING EXPENDITURE General Budget Scientific Programme Earth Observation Telecommunications Navigation Human Spaceflight Microgravity Robotic Exploration Launchers Space Situational Awareness Prep. Prog. Technology CSG Kourou and other activities Pensions Total financed by contributions Third Party Programmes Plan for European Cooperating States Management Outputs Expenditure Suspense Output Esrange/Andya special project Internal Tax Variation of accruals/provisions Total operating expenditure NON-OPERATING CHARGES Net surplus for the period REPRESENTED BY Bank and cash Other assets Prepaid contributions, other liabilities Reserves Net surplus for the period
2008
Increase/ decrease
536,811 1,205 535,606 343,822 2,686 1,701 460, 13,863 2,480 355,318 890,924
3,728,367 296,753 582,311 16,251 9,430 1,049 144,293 2,484 4,025,120
3,191,556 297,958 238,489 18,937 11,131 1,510 130,430 4 3,489,514
755,818 4,780,938
400,500 3,890,014
227,610 435,552 586,349 299,179 247,570 462,664 73,511 59,946 689,917 3,044 107,771 124,012 77,473 379,852 7,986 1,232 1,142 212 144,293 125,247 3,394,598
209,928 434,813 409,528 199,603 402,615 428,837 73,099 0 608,905 0 84,650 94,991 74,044 36,841 4,492 1,701 460 206 130,430 9,040 3,021,013
407,006 3,801,604 979,334
165,090 3,186,102 703,912
17,682 739 176,821 99,576 155,045 33,827 412 59,946 81,012 3,044 23,121 29,021 3,430 373,586 343,011 3,494 2,933 682 6 13,863 116,207 241,916 615,501 0 275,422
975,220 1,162,550 3,089,485 1,931,049 979,334
935,182 2,393,936 2,888,006 262,799 703,912
112
Annual Report 2009
STATEmENT OF ASSETS AND LIAbILITIES AT 31 DECEmbER 2009 (in thousand )

2009
ASSETS Current assets: BANKS AND CASH AMOUNTS RECEIVABLE: Outstanding contributions Other customers (net) Other amounts receivable PREPAYMENTS Non-current assets: PENSION SCHEME Buffer Fund Total assets LIABILITIES Current liabilities: Prepaid Contributions and other payables to Member States Regulation Fund ACCRUED PAYABLES OTHER AMOUNTS PAYABLE UNTAKEN STAFF LEAVE Non-current liabilities: PENSION SCHEME Total liabilities
2008
Increase/ decrease
975,220 445,509 42,230 208,751 212,739 1,884,449 253,321 253,321 2,137,770
935,182 492,096 103,001 70,354 158,131 1,758,764 227,125 227,125 1,985,889
40,038 46,587 60,771 138,397 54,608 125,685 26,196 26,196 151,881
92,114 11,993 387,773 642,847 70,511 1,205,238 1,884,247 1,884,247 3,089,485 951,715
467,102 23,993 567,617 213,441 62,610 1,334,763 1,553,243 1,553,243 2,888,006 -902,116
374,988 12,000 179,844 429,406 7,901 129,525 331,004 331,004 201,479 49,599
NET ASSETS/ RESERVES Reserves GNSS2, ARTES, PPF Envisat, Financial Mgmt. Reform, Stella, Exchange gains Amounts to be called from Member States Reserve for Accruals and Provisions PENSION SCHEME to be financed (*) SURPLUS
44,388 44,388
64,561 64,561
20,173
318,316 1,657,122 979,334 996,103 -951,715
327,360 1,343,229 703,912 966,677 902,116
9,044 313,893 275,422 49,599
MEMORANDUM ACCOUNTS Property, plant and equipment Fixed assets in progress INVENTORY OF FIXED ASSETS
2,906,138 428,282 3,334,420
2,965,153 318,279 3,283,432
59,015 110,003 50,988
(*) before allocation of 2009 surplus of 26.2 million
113
Accounts
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEmENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEmbER 2009 (in million )
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Receipts of contributions 2009 Called Contributions Decrease in outstanding contributions Decrease in prepaid contributions Decrease in Regulation Fund Other receipts Other income ESA financed programmes Third Party Programmes Plan for European Cooperating States Other receipts Decrease in other customers Increase in other amounts receivable Decrease in other reserves
2,961.3 46.5 22.4 12.0 2,973.4
272.9 380.6 5.3 2.8 60.8 138.4 27.5 556.5 3,529.9
Payments Expenses for ESA Programmes Expenses for Third Party Programmes Expenses for Plan for European Cooperating States Other expenses Increase in prepayments to suppliers Increase in untaken staff leave Decrease in accrued payables Increase in other amounts payable Reimbursement of contributions Transfer of 2009 surplus to Pension Buffer Fund Net cash flow from operating activities CASH AND BANKS 31 December 2008 CASH AND BANKS 31 December 2009
3,269.5 379.9 8.0 0.1 54.6 7.9 179.8 429.4 9.1 26.2 3,489.9 40.0 935.2 975.2
114
Annual Report 2009
STATEmENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS/EQUITY FOR THE YEARS 2008-09 (in million )
Surplus Reserves Pension Reserve for accruals and scheme to be financed provisions C
327.3
Total net assets A+B+C+D

902.1
A
Balance at 31 December 2008 Allocation of surplus 2008 to income 2009: - Programmes funded by contributions - Plan for European Cooperating States - Programmes funded by Third Parties - Management and Suspense Outputs Reimbursement to Participants Allocation to Financial Management Reform Reserve Allocation to Pension Scheme to be financed Allocation to exchange gains reserve Adjustments for accrued expenditure 2008 Sub-total allocation of surplus 2008 Surplus 2009 Net movements in reserves Net movement in Pension Scheme to be financed Balance 31 December 2009 703.9
B
64.5
D
1343.2
438.4 11.0 201.7 10.2 9.1 6.0 17.1 1.4 9.0 703.9 979.3 20.1
9.0
9.0 703.9 979.3 20.1 313.9 951.7
979.3 44.4 318.3
313.9 1,657.1
115
annex
Agreements signed in 2009

Extension of the Agreement between the European Space Agency and the Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR) concerning the installation and utilisation of certain assets located at Lampoldshausen signed by exchange of letter on 12 and 27 February 2009 by ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain and Chairman of the DLR Executive Board Johann-Dietrich Wrner. (ESA/LEG/234, add. 5) Rider to the Arrangement between the European Space Agency and Arianespace concerning the Agencys contribution to the maintenance in operational condition (MCO) of Agency assets through the Ariane-5 ARTA programme (Rider 1) signed on 16 October 2009 by ESA Director of Launchers Antonio Fabrizi and Jean-Yves Le Gall, Chairman and CEO of Arianespace. (ESA/LEG/350, add. 1 (R)) Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement between the European Space Agency and the European Community on the Implementation of the Space Component of Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) signed in Brussels on 28 January 2009 by ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain and Heinz Zourek, Director General, European Commission DG Enterprise and Industry. (ESA/LEG/354) Delegation Agreement between the European Space Agency and the European Community on the further implementation of the European Satellite Navigation Programme EGNOS signed in Brussels on 31 March 2009 by ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain and Matthias Ruete, Director General, European Commission DG Energy and Transport. (ESA/LEG/355) Agreement between the European Space Agency and the Russian Federal Space Agency for the provision of the Mercury Gamma-Ray and Neutron Spectrometer to the BepiColombo Mission signed in Paris on 17 June 2009 by ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain and Anatoly Perminov, Head of the Russian Federal Space Agency. (ESA/LEG/356) Agreement between the European Space Agency and the Government of the Republic of Latvia concerning space cooperation for peaceful purposes signed in Riga, Latvia on 23 July 2009 by ESA Director of Legal Affairs and External Relations Peter Hulsroj and Tatjana Koke, Latvian Minister for Education and Science. (ESA/LEG/357) Agreement between the European Space Agency and the Government of Cyprus concerning space cooperation for peaceful purposes signed in Nicosia, Cyprus on 27 August 2009 by ESA Director of Legal Affairs and External Relations Peter Hulsroj and Michael Constantinides, Permanent Secretary in the Cypriot Ministry of Communications and Works. (ESA/LEG/358) Memorandum of Understanding between the European Space Agency and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) concerning cooperation in the field of space transportation signed in Washington DC on 11 September 2009 by ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain and NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden, Jr. (ESA/LEG/359) Framework Agreement between the European Space Agency and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (Eumetsat) concerning cooperation on the GMES Space Component signed in Paris on 20 July 2009 by ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain and Lars Prahm, Eumetsat Director General. (ESA/LEG/360) Implementing Arrangement between ESA and the Russian Federal Space Agency on activities in support of certain space exploration programmes signed in Moscow, Russia on 19 August 2009 by ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain and Anatoly Perminov, Head of the Russian Federal Space Agency. (ESA/LEG/361) Exchange of letters between the European Space Agency and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on the Extension of the Memorandum of Understanding between ESA
Annual Report 2009
and NASA concerning the joint ESA/NASA Cassini Mission signed in Washington DC on 7 October 2009 by Kent Bress, Director of NASAs Science Division and in Paris on 10 October 2009 by the Head of the ESA International Relations Department Chris de Cooker. (ESA/LEG/363) Agreement between the European Space Agency and the Republic of Estonia for the European Cooperating State Agreement signed in Tallinn, Estonia on 10 November 2009 by ESA Director of Legal Affairs and External Relations Peter Hulsroj and Juhan Parts, Estonian Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications. (ESA/LEG/364) Implementing Arrangement between the European Space Agency and the Government of the Argentine Republic for the Establishment of Ground Tracking, Command and Data Acquisition Facilities, including a Deep Space Antenna, at Malarge (Argentina) signed on 11 November 2009 by ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain and on 16 November 2009 by Jorge Enrique Taiana, Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Culture (MRECIC). (ESA/LEG/365) Agreement between the European Space Agency and the Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR) on Cooperation on Development of a European Data Relay Satellite System signed in Bonn on 4 November 2009 by ESA Director of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications Magali Vaissire and Gerold Reichle, Member of the DLR Executive Board, and Jrgen Mallwitz, Head of the DLR Administration Department. (ESA/LEG/366) Implementing Arrangement between the European Space Agency and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (Eumetsat) concerning the cooperation on GMES Sentinel-3 signed in Paris on 18 November 2009 by ESA Director of Earth Observation Programmes Volker Liebig and in Darmstadt on 20 November 2009 by Lars Prahm, Eumetsat Director General. (ESA/LEG/367) Arrangement between the European Space Agency and the Russian Federal Space Agency concerning cooperation in the conduct of joint experiments on the International Space Station signed on 27 November 2009 by ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain and Anatoly Perminov, Head of the Russian Federal Space Agency. (ESA/LEG/368) Agreement between the European Space Agency and the Centre National dEtudes Spatiales (CNES) on Cooperation regarding the Integration and Operations of the PHARAO Instrument in the Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space Payload Facility of the ISS signed in Paris on 15 December 2009 by ESA Director of Human Spaceflight Simonetta Di Pippo and Thierry Duquesne, CNES Director for Strategy, Programmes and International Relations. (ESA/LEG/369)
ESA patent applications filed in 2009

PAT 528 METHOD TO CONTROL A HYDRAULIC ACTUATOR (PROCEDE DE COMMANDE DUN ACTIONNEUR HYDRAULIQUE)
US Application Filed Applicant Inventor Other Application 2009/0255247 7 April 2009 European Space Agency B. Dutilleul FR 2929644
PAT 542 METHODS, APPARATUSES AND SYSTEM FOR ASYNCHRONOUS SPREAD SPECTRUM COMMUNICATION
US Application Filed Applicant Inventors Other Application 2010/0054131 25 August 2009 European Space Agency R. De Gaudenzi, O. Del Rio Herrero EP 2159926
PAT 543 ALTIMETRY METHOD AND SYSTEM

US Application Filed Applicant Inventors European Application 2010/0007547 7 July 2009 European Space Agency S. DAddio EP 2144085
PAT 544 NAVIGATION-SATELLITE TRACKING METHOD AND RECEIVING STATION

US Application Filed Applicant Inventors Other Application 12/580,173 15 October 2009 European Space Agency F. Amarillo-Fernandez, G. Lopez-Risueno EP 08166875
PAT 546 URINE TREATMENT UNIT

PCT Application Filed Applicant Inventors PCT/NL 2009 050544 10 September 2009 European Space Agency C. Lasseur, C. Paill
117
Annex
PAT 547 RECONFIGURABLE BEAM-FORMING NETWORK ARCHITECTURE

European Application Filed Applicant Inventors 09290697.3 10 September 2009 European Space Agency P. Angeletti
PAT 553 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACCESSING DATA IN DATA STORE
US Application Filed Applicant Inventors 12/613,378 5 November 2009 European Space Agency J. A. Martinez Heras, R. Timm, D. Evans
PAT 550 SOLAR ARRAY REGULATOR BASED ON STEP-UP AND DOWN CONVERSION AND SOLAR POWER SYSTEM COMPRISING THE SAME
European Application Filed Applicant Inventors 09290454.9 16 June 2009 European Space Agency O. Mourra, F. Tonicello
PAT 554 METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING A MIRROR PLATE STACK

European Application Filed Applicant Inventors 09168979.4 28 August 2009 European Space Agency M. Bavdaz
PAT 551 AUTOMATIC IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM RECEIVER AND SATELLITE PAYLOAD COMPRISING THE SAME
European Application Filed Applicant Inventors 09290817.7 23 October 2009 European Space Agency P. Burzigotti, A. Ginesi
PAT 555 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ANALYZING TIME SERIES DATA
European Application Filed Applicant Inventors 09165723.9 16 July 2009 European Space Agency J. A. Martinez Heras, A. Donati, K. L. Yeung
PAT 552 SEQUENTIAL SWITCHING SHUNT REGULATOR CELL WITH NON-REDUNDANT RECTIFIER
European Application Filed Applicant Inventors 09290886.2 27 November 2009 European Space Agency F. Tonicello, L. B. Llavona
PAT 558 COMPACT OMT DEVICE

European Application Filed Applicant Inventors 09178229.2 7 December 2009 European Space Agency P. S. Delgado
118
Annual Report 2009
Chairs of Council, Programme boards and other delegate bodies

Council
Chair Vice-Chairs Maurici Lucena (ES) Eric Beka (BE) David Williams (UK)
Programme Boards
Joint Board on Communication Satellite Programmes Programme Board on Satellite Navigation Earth Observation Programme Board Launchers Programme Board Human Spaceflight, Microgravity and Exploration Programme Board Space Situational Awareness Programme Board Gerd Kraft (DE) Augusto Cramarossa (IT) Maurice Borgeaud (CH) Jan Droz (FR) Rolf de Groot (NL)
Monique Wagner (BE)
Other delegate bodies

Administrative and Finance Committee Industrial Policy Committee Science Programme Committee International Relations Committee Security Committee Agency Technology and Product Transfer Board Birgitte Sode-Mogensen (DK) Harald Posch (AT) Lennart Nordh (SE) Sylvie Callari (FR) Berndt Fredriksson (SE) Klaus Steinberg (DE)
Statutory bodies
Appeals Board Audit Commission Jean Massot (F) Wim Schellekens (NL) Chairman Jos Tavares (PT) Chairman Emeritus Staffan Nystrm (SE) Graham Miller (UK) Anna Maria Balsano (IT)
Staff Association Central Committee
119
Annex
National delegations to Council

Klaus Pseiner Harald Posch Andrea Kleinsasser
AUSTRIA
LUXEMBOURG
Pierre Decker Marc Serres
BELGIUM
NETHERLANDS
Hans de Groene Johan Lindeman Ger Nieuwpoort
Eric Beka Dominique Fonteyn Monique Wagner
CZECH REPUBLIC
Jan Kol Karel Dobe
NORWAY
Bo Andersen Eirik Annexstad Geir Hovmork
DENMARK
Henrik Grage Birgitte Sode-Mogensen Gorm Petersen
PORTUGAL
Joo Sentieiro Mrio Amaral
FINLAND
SPAIN
Kari Tilli Kimmo Kanto
Teresa Santero Mercedes Sierra Jorge Lomba
FRANCE
Yannick dEscatha Franois Pellerin Stphane Janichewski
SWEDEN
Olle Norberg Thorwald Larsson Bengt Toresson
Jan Wrner Gerold Reichle Rolf Densing
GERMANY
SWITZERLAND
Daniel Frst Daniel Neuenschwander Raphal von Rothen
GREECE
Ioannis Tsoukalas Stamatios Krimigis Ioannis Papadakis
UNITED KINGDOM
David Williams Robert Canniff David Parker
IRELAND
Aidan Hodson Valentine Hayes Tony McDonald
CANADA
Steve MacLean Hugues Gilbert
ITALY
Enrico Saggese Augusto Cramarossa Stefano Nicoletti
ESA member States Austria Belgium Czech Republic Denmark Finland France Germany Greece Ireland Italy Luxembourg Netherlands Norway Portugal Spain Sweden Switzerland United Kingdom
An ESA Communications Production Copyright 2010 European Space Agency

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