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Europe’s space ministers are calling on the European Space Agency to
seek wider cooperation with the Soviet Union and Japan in an effort to head
off a cash crisis.

The ministers met in Munich this week to approve ESA’s long-term plan,
which will take the agency through to 2005. Projects include the Hermes
spaceplane and Columbus, Europe’s contribution to the international space
station.

Rumours over the past few months suggest that Germany may pull out of
Hermes, France’s favourite project. The French could then retaliate by withdrawing
from Columbus – which Germany favours.

At the start of the ministerial meeting, several countries suggested
putting off the final decision for a year while ESA looks at ways to collaborate
with the Soviet Union and Japan. Political changes since 1987, when the
long-term plan was drawn up, have made such collaboration possible, says
Claudio Aranzadi of Spain.