ESA/SPC/LXXXV/Res.2
The Scientific Programme Committee meeting on 2/3 November 1998 at its 85th meeting
Recalling to Council the strong support to the Horizons 2000 Implementation Plan, expressed in Resolution LXXXII/Res.2 which was unanimously adopted by SPC at their 82nd meeting on 17-18 November 1997,
Underlining the scientific excellence of the ESA Scientific Programme and stressing the need to implement in a timely manner all the approved missions of Horizons 2000 as well as the conditionally approved Mars Express mission, to safeguard the scientific balance in the implementation plan and to maintain continuity in the Scientific community,
Stressing the long standing obligation, established in 1985 and confirmed in Toulouse in 1995, to provide the European scientific community with a coherent programme of timely and optimized missions covering the science objectives of Horizons 2000,
Having heard the report of the Director of the Scientific Programme on the financial projections for the Programme, and having been convinced that further efficiency improvements can be achieved only in a long term perspective using for example the Mars Express procurement approach,
Welcoming the fact that the Executive will continue to implement efficiency improvements aiming in particular to reduce the global value of overhead, thereby reducing the impact of the recharging policy on the Science Programme,
Expressing its concern on the importance of the Level of Resources for the Scientific Programme which currently cannot safely support the completion of the Horizon 2000 Programme and its extension approved in Toulouse in 1995 (Horizon 2000 Plus),
Noting that the timely implementation of the currently approved missions, in particular for the period 1999-2003, can be accommodated if the purchasing power of the Science Programme budget as a minimum is maintained at the level on 1998,
Recommends to Council that:
- The LOR be agreed at the December 1998 Council meeting,
- An appropriate Level of Resources be agreed which allows the completion of the approved projects in the programme including the Mars Express Mission, and in the future safeguards the stability of the Science Programme.