I'm very pleased that Prague has recently successfully hosted a significant space conference, European space solutions 2014. Although space programmes are sometimes mistakenly considered as distant to everyday life, the conference clearly demonstrated a high potential for using space technologies in a large variety of fields from sustainable transport, emergency response, land management and other consumer applications. Benefits of the European space programmes - Galileo, European geostationary navigation overlay service or EGNOS and Copernicus - have been widely discussed, but the key element is the readiness of the European Union and its member states to apply these programmes. It is also essential that manufacturers, service providers and consumers are motivated to use new solutions based on satellite systems. I strongly believe that we need to support both the development of space systems and their application. In order to maximise the benefits of space activities, it is necessary to have the capacities in both areas and effectively use the acquired knowhow. At the institutional level, we should focus on keeping EU space programmes in synergy. The global navigation satellite systems agency has the necessary experience and infrastructure to play the key role in this area.
"It is the transport sector, where advanced space technologies have been most extensively applied in recent years and have already largely contributed to increasing safety, efficiency and environmental protection"
The Czech ministry of transport has been the coordinator of space-related activities in the Czech Republic for a number of years and there are good reasons for this institutional set-up. It is in the transport sector where advanced space technologies have been most extensively applied in recent years and have already largely contributed to increasing safety, efficiency and environmental protection. The Czech Republic has been most active in the field of car safety, specifically in the project of European eCall 112 services. Compatibility and interoperability of the eCall service was tested and achieved in the harmonised eCall European pilot, where the Czech Republic took part. The eCall device has the capability to automatically initiate a 112 emergency call and transmit necessary information about the car and its crew, in case of an accident. It also determines the exact position of the accident by using GPS and the European EGNOS and Galileo. Since time plays a key role in rescue interventions, eCall can effectively save lives and mitigate serious health consequences caused by late medical help. As such it is a great example of how space technology can help in everyday life.
The main strategic framework of Czech space activities is the national space plan approved by the government in 2010. Thanks to close coordination of space activities with the European agencies and local business the objectives for the year 2016 were achieved already in 2013. A showcase of the space-powered solutions is Frentech. With the support of the European space agency this company has become a successful supplier of advanced technology, delivering, for instance, mechanical parts of solar panels for the series of US iridium next satellites. Currently, we are focusing on promoting practical use of European space programmes. Airport approach procedures based on EGNOS will be issued in the near future at the Ostrava, Brno and Karlovy Vary airports. In another project a satellite based security system will be tested on a railway line with lower traffic. Applications based on Galileo, EGNOS and Copernicus create new opportunities for industry and research, but also for individuals. In this sense, space solutions can largely contribute to the competitiveness of European economy and we should not falter in our commitment to supporting these activities.