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DRTM

The Western European Union, consisting of nine principal member states (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom), and 18 other nations in lesser roles, constituted the defense organization of the 12-state European Union. Since 1988 the WEU had considered the formation of a space agency, the European Satellite Control Agency (ESCA), with a primary objective of performing national security reconnaissance from space with emphasis on treaty verification capabilities. The WEU held a colloquy in Paris in June, 1993, to further examine the requirements and utility of an ESCA. After postponing a decision of integrating WEU requirements and funding with the French-led Helios program, the WEU in 1991 -1992 decided to establish an image processing and interpretation center which would initially work with data from SPOT, Helios, ERS, and other commercial sources, including data from Russian photorecons.

The WEU Satellite Center at Spain's Torrejon Air Base near Madrid opened in April, 1993, and almost immediately came under fire for its limited data processing capabilities. After overcoming additional budget pressures, the center appeared to be on firmer ground by the end of 1994 with a decision expected in 1995 to make the facility permanent. The center's present objectives are to demonstrate the application of space imagery in the fields of treaty verification, crisis-monitoring, and environmental monitoring. The concept of operating an independent WEU satellite system, perhaps by taking over the Helios 2 and Horus programs, gained some support in the WEU. However, simultaneous operations of Helios and a separate WEU network were unlikely (References 47-57).

References

• 45. Novosti Kosmonavtiki, 17-31 December 1994, pp. 20-21.
• 46. Novosti Kosmonavtiki, 10-23 September 1994, p. 44 and 26 March-8 April 1995, pp. 31-32.
• 47. G. de Briganti, "WED Study Group Envisions Spy Satellite Program", Space News, 1 -7 February 1993, pp. 3, 21.
• 48. P.B. de Selding, "Europe Eyes Space Sentry", Space News, 26 April - 2 May 1993, pp. 1, 20.
• 49. P.B. de Selding, "France to Provide Imagery to WEU", Space News, 3-9 May 1993, p. 9.
• 50. I. Parker, "Peace From Orbit", (Interview with the Director of the WEU Satellite Center), Space, October 1993, pp. 20-22.
• 51. "Europeans Object to Space Center Plan", Military Space, 13 December 1993, pp. 6-7.
• 52. "Newsmaker Forum" (Interview with the Director of the WEU Satellite Center), Space News, 15-28 August 1994, p. 22.
• 53. P.B. de Selding, "Europeans Help To Cut Cost", Space News, 31 October - 6 November 1994, pp. 4, 21.
• 54. P.B. de Selding, "WED Delays Facility Decision", Space News, 21 November - 4 December 1994, p. 3.
• 55. P.B. de Selding, "Proposed Military Satellite Program Doubtful", Space News, 3-9 April 1995, pp. 4, 45.
• 56. P.B. de Selding, WED Postpones Satellite Decisions, Space News, 22-28 May 1995, pp. 3, 21.
• 57. P.B. de Selding, "WED Favors European Spy Satellite Program", Space News, 26 June - 2 July 1995, pp.1, 28.
• Adapted from: Europe and Asia in Space 1993-1994, Nicholas Johnson and David Rodvold [Kaman Sciences / Air Force Phillips Laboratory]
• The future of the WEU Satellite Centre in Torrejon Document 1437 9th November 1994 REPORT submitted on behalf of the Technological and Aerospace Committee
• WEU and Helios 2 Document 1525 - 14 May 1996