Access

Published online 28 November 2008 | Nature | doi:10.1038/456552a

News

Space agency funding defies downturn

European ministers commit €10 billion to space missions, Earth monitoring and new facilities.

The Hague, the Netherlands

"Just look at the smile on my face," beams David Southwood, head of science and robotic exploration at the European Space Agency (ESA), minutes after the outcome of a crucial summit between the ministers of the agency's 18 member states.

Despite the financial crisis, the ministers agreed to commit €10 billion (US$12.

Comments

Reader comments are usually moderated after posting. If you find something offensive or inappropriate, you can speed this process by clicking 'Report this comment' (or, if that doesn't work for you, email redesign@nature.com). For more controversial topics, we reserve the right to moderate before comments are published.

    • 04 Dec, 2008
    • Posted by: Oliver Manuel