Vienna will host a new travelling
exhibition which underlines how space activities and applications
have a direct impact on citizens' daily life. Over 30,000
applications rely on space technologies that for instance can help
optimizing transport, increasing efficiency in agriculture and
fisheries, protecting the environment or improving security.
After a first big success in Copenhagen, Toulouse,
Helsinki and Brussels, the exhibition will be presented in Vienna,
at the Messeplatz in front of the Messezentrum.
From the 22nd to 26th of October, visitors of all ages can
see, touch and experience the wide range of innovative technologies
and services that space offers to them. The exposition is timed to
coincide with the World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems.
Entrance to the European Space Expo is free to the public. The
spectrum of space technologies made in Austria covers a wide range.
How Austrian companies and research institutes are involved in the
space sector, will be also part of the exhibition.
During the next 2 years, the exhibition
will be on display in 20 to 30 cities. Before the end of the year,
the Cypriot city of Larnaca and London will also be visited by the
European Space Expo.
European Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani, Commissioner for
Industry and Entrepreneurship, said: "The EU
investment is crucial for the provision of services essential in
our modern life. This exhibition is a great opportunity for
Europe's citizens to realize the wide range of applications
available thanks to the EU satellite navigation and Earth
observation programmes."
Background
Through the investment in the EU flagship
programmes of Galileo and GMES (Global monitoring for the
environment and Security), the citizens of Europe will benefit from
the many services and applications, which are creating global
market opportunities and helping to support job creation and
economic growth.
With Galileo, Europe is now a step closer to having its own smart
satellite navigation system, which will bring many benefits to our
economies and our daily lives. From 2014, the new
constellation will enable improved services ranging from more
precise in-car navigation, effective road transport management,
search and rescue services, more secure banking transactions as
well as reliable electricity provision, which all rely heavily on
satellite navigation technologies to work efficiently.
The market for global satellite navigation applications will reach
€240bn by the end of the decade, with about 7 % of gross domestic
product - equal to €800m in Europe - reliant on satellite
navigation services. Independent studies have shown that Galileo
could contribute up to €90bn to the European economy in its first
20 years.
Alongside Galileo, GMES uses data
collected by satellites, as well as Earth-based measuring tools to
help develop understanding of climate change and environmental
issues through the accurate observation of, for instance, the state
of oceans or the chemical composition of the atmosphere. It will
also have security applications, such as in border surveillance.
According to the OECD, the global market for commercial Earth
observation data could rise to $3bn per year by 2017. GMES is
expected to induce benefits worth at least four to ten times the
necessary investment.
Currently, the European space manufacturing industry is worth
€5.4bn per year and employs a highly qualified workforce of more
than 31,000 people.
Through the unique interactive, educational and
entertaining displays at the European Space Expo, the European
Union highlights the many positive benefits that investment in
space brings to the everyday lives of European citizens. Don't miss
it!
For more information, please visit http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/space/expo/index_en.htm
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