|
|
From International Astronautical FederationCzech Space Office
The Czech Space Office was founded in November 2003 as a private non-profit organisation, when the Czech Republic became ESA´s cooperating state. The CSO helps to introduce Czech science, education, R&D and business sectors to the international space community. The CSO carries out a broad range of activities at national as well as international level; e.g. coordination, consulting, negotiations, networking and planning. It also represents the Czech Republic on international events and in various European space organisations. The CSO believes that the space as a global source has an enormous potential to improve our lives. This potential can be explored most effectively by the cooperation with international partners. For such a small country like the Czech Republic, an international cooperation is the most efficient approach how to benefit from the space science and technology. The CSO coordinates Czech relations with international and particularly European space community. The CSO takes every opportunity to show existing and potential benefits of space technology to national economy and society. The CSO's main goals are:
National ActivitiesThe CSO provides consultancy services to the Ministry of Education,Youth and Sports (MEYS), Ministry of Transport and other national governmental bodies. It also provides services such as consulting, networking and promotion at international industrial fairs and exhibitions to Czech organisations. The CSO maintains a database of Czech organisations involved or interested in the space activities. Currently, the database contains over one hundred entries. The CSO organises training sessions and workshops for organisations and/or professionals from various space-related sectors. Moreover, the CSO plays an active role in educational activities. Experts from the CSO are in close contact with the media, promoting space in general. International RelationshipsThe CSO maintains good relations with main European space industry players like EADS Astrium and Thales Alenia Space, as well as with other key space companies and agencies as CNES or DLR. The Czech Republic is fully engaged in the development of the European space policy and European space programme through the participation of the CSO in the EU High-Level Space Policy Group meetings and by providing consultancy services to the MEYS during the preparation for the meetings of the EU Space Council. The „1 st EU-ESA International Conference on Human Space Exploration“ took place in vicinity of Prague at Štiřín Castle in October 2009. The CSO officers are delegates of the Czech Republic at ESA programme boards and committees. The CSO representatives participate in the programme committee for the Space Thematic Priority under the EU 7th Framework Programme and in the Partners Board of the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES), which helps to set the direction of the development of the EU flagship space project. Apart from GMES, the CSO is also involved in national promotion of the EU Galileo Programme and is the national contact point for these purposes. The CSO assists the Czech Republic in its active role in the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), which promotes international co-operation. The CSO is a member of the Eurisy, International Astronautical Federation and will host the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) that will be held in Prague in September this year. The CSO representatives also attend meetings of the GEO Working Group. The Czech Republic is an important participant in the World Space Week with CSO as main coordinator national activities within this international event. The CSO maintains relations with the Russian Federal Space Agency as a continuation of a long-term cooperation with former Soviet scientists. Furthermore, the CSO establishes and develops relations with other national space agencies such as the American NASA, Japanese JAXA, Indian ISRO or Chinese CNSA.
NewsLocation
|
|
