The German science budget has been cut by 2.2 per cent this year compared
with 1990 to help the government to pay for massive improvements to the
infrastructure in what used to be East Germany. Nevertheless, the Ministry
of Research and Technology in Bonn says that the DM 3.433 billion (拢1.18
billion) that has been budgeted 鈥榠s sufficient to meet our needs鈥�.
The ministry is worried, however, about Germany鈥檚 contribution to Columbus,
the European component of the proposed international space station spearheaded
by NASA. In July, when the German cabinet meets to discuss financial issues,
the research ministry will press for a special budget for space.
