Intergovernmental cooperation in science and technology: the experience of the European Space Research Organisation and the European Space Vehicle Launcher Development Organisation 1960-1970

Abstract

In 1960 the first soundings were taken which were to lead to the foundation of the European Space Research Organisation (ESRO) and the European Space Vehicle launcher Development Organisation (ELDO) some four years later.
In Part I, the growth of the two Organisations up until 1970 is charted. The problems that were peculiar to each are examined together with those which arose from the inability of the governments participating in the Organisations to agree on common objectives o The attempts to formulate a common European policy for space research and development, within the confines of the European Space Conference, are described together with the failure of those attempts, at least until 1970.
In Part II, the history of the two Organisations and of the European Space Conference is compared with the experiences of international organisations at large, and particularly with those of other examples of European collaboration in science and advanced technology.
Finally, some of the more widely accepted theoretical frameworks for the analysis of international integration are examined in the light of the experiences of ESRO and ELDO with some comments on the development of science policies for this issue area.