Improving the effectiveness of international collaboration in space science

From the start of the 20th century, a strong tradition of collaboration has developed in the physical sciences. World War Il and the following period changed this situation with a quickening of the pace of application. Thus, while basic research continues to benefit from collaboration among scientis ts worldwide, the increasingly complex background in which science evolves, through higher implementation costs and more difficult approval processes, renders collaboration among nations ever more pressing. Space science, wit h its comparatively high access cost but large fundamental importance, subs tantial public appeal and outstanding ability to motivate young people, sha res this need. This article focuses on a recent ESSC-ESF study undertaken t o improve the effectiveness of such cooperative efforts. Related findings a nd recommendations are presented along with a proposed operational structur e for their implementation. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reser ved.