Publication date: 15 Jul 1998

Authors: Zufferey, B.

Journal: ESA SP-432
Page: 93-95
Year: 1998

Copyright: ESA

Proceedings of the Conference on Academic and Industrial Cooperation in Space Research, Vienna, Austria, 4-6 November 1998.

PRODEX is an ESA optional scientific programme. It was created at a time when several ESA member states were limited in the funding of experiments and instruments for ESA missions desired by universities or other scientific institutes. One of the Programme most important roles is to facilitate dialogue and cooperation between the scientific circles and private industry. The Agency provides both administrative and financial management and technical support. The current Participating States are Switzerland, Belgium, Ireland, Austria, Norway and Denmark. Furthermore, PRODEX has the advantage of being able to expand ESA's sphere of operations since it is also available to non-member States, thereby attracting the interest and support of other countries, especially those with which ESA has entered into co-operation agreements. So far, this possibility has been recognised by Hungary, which became this year the first Non-Member State participating to the Programme. The PRODEX Programme Office fulfils the role of co-ordinating experiment development and awarding industrial contracts.

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