H&K UPDATE: The Commissioners’ “Chefs de Cabinets” and first indications of new policy priorities Elaine Cruikshanks CEO Hill & Knowlton, December 11, 2009 | The Cabinets The new College of Commissioners and their policy remits are now known. But who are the men and women who will lead their Cabinets – the “Chefs de Cabinets” - and what policy direction can we expect them to take during their five-year term? The Chefs are instrumental in setting their Commissioners’ policy agendas and can wield a powerful influence in the prioritisation of policies. They lead the Commissioners’ Cabinets, which usually consist of about seven personal advisors, supported by administrative staff. The Cabinet’s job is threefold. - First, they support their Commissioner on specific policy areas – with each Cabinet member responsible for their own specific portfolio. They also follow policy areas outside their Commissioner’s direct remit and prepare his or her position for the weekly College of Commissioners meeting.
- Second, they maintain relations with other Cabinets, Parliament, Council, the services of the Directorate-General and other institutional stakeholders.
- Lastly, and maybe most importantly, they are the political guardians of their Commissioners, making sure that their Commissioner is on the right side of major or contentious issues.
Assembling a Cabinet is no easy feat. Hundreds of CVs stream in from the moment the new Commissioners are known. There is intense lobbying for favoured candidates by national governments, industry and civil society groups, political parties and friends. Besides a candidate’s experience and knowledge, Commissioners need to consider a whole range of other attributes, including someone’s political affiliation, gender, language and cultural attributes (north-south split). Nationality also plays a big role - not more than four members of Cabinet can be of the same nationality as the Commissioner, the Chef and Deputy-Chef must have different nationalities, and the spokesman cannot come from the same country as their Commissioner. Chefs de Cabinets are expected to fight their Commissioners’ corner and to defend his or her interests, particularly in the intense lobbying that goes on between different Commissioners on the more controversial issues. A Chef must have standing, experience and sway with his colleagues. The Chefs will spend the coming weeks preparing their Commissioners for the European Parliament hearings set to start on January 11. An analysis of the Chefs’ names below shows that, as in the current Commission, about one third of the Chefs come from the UK, France or Germany. Only three women have been put forward as Chefs de Cabinets. Of the 27 Chefs, 24 return from existing Cabinet positions, and 14 are currently Chefs. In many ways, the high number of returning Chefs, and presumably other returning Cabinet officials, is good for continuity and should help to give Barroso II a flying start, particularly as all Commissioners have been assigned new portfolios. One interesting observation about the new portfolio division between Commissioners is that there are a number of policy areas with possibly overlapping competencies. For example, a number of responsibilities in the energy/environment/climate arena are not well-defined. Another area where this is the case is the digital/technology/ICT sphere. Cynics have suggested that these and other overlapping remits were purposely included, as a means of strengthening the hand of the President – where there are disputes, he can step in to deliver the final say. Who are the new “Chefs de Cabinet”?In this update, we provide an overview of the known Chefs de Cabinets, with an emphasis on the most influential and prominent Commission portfolios. Many of these names, though not all, have been announced internally. |  | Johannes Laitenberger will lead the Cabinet of José Manuel Barroso. Laitenberger assumed this role on November 1, after 4 years as Barroso’s spokesman, and previous to that as a member of his Cabinet. Laitenberger, a German national, is a fluent Portuguese speaker and is said to have a very close relationship with Barroso. Prior to joining the Commission’s Competition Directorate-General in 1999, he practiced as a lawyer, worked in an industry association and at the Council of the European Union. In 1999 he joined the Cabinet of Viviane Reding and became head of Cabinet there in 2003. Barroso set out his policy directions for his new 5 year mandate. He wants a team that "...can generate fresh thinking and new ideas on the biggest challenges we face”. |  | James Morrison will lead the Cabinet of Catherine Ashton, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission. Prior to coming to Brussels to work with Lady Ashton, he served for 20 years with the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Lady Ashton started her new position on December 1 and she will preside over the Foreign Affairs Council and lead the European External Action Service (EEAS), the embryonic EU diplomat service. |  | Marc Vanheukelen will lead the Cabinet of Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht. Vanheukelen is a Belgian Liberal like De Gucht and is currently his Chef de Cabinet. Prior to that, he held a series of posts in the European Commission and in the Belgian Foreign Service. He was Head of Unit for Relations with the United States in the Commission and Deputy Head of Cabinet to the Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, dealing with international trade in particular. In terms of political priorities for De Gucht, the conclusion of the Doha Development Agenda negotiations at the end of 2010 and the improvement of economic aspects of EU-USA relations are said to be top priorities. |  | Carlos Martinez-Mongay will lead the Cabinet of Competition Commissioner, Joaquin Almunia. Martinez is currently head of unit in DG Economic and Financial Affairs dealing with Bulgaria, Greece, Spain, Cyprus and Portugal. Given that Almunia, Martinez and the EU Competition Director General designate – Dutchman Alexander Italianer – all have backgrounds in economics, some believe the job of Deputy Chef de Cabinet will go to a lawyer. Speculation is rife as to Almunia’s likely position on EU antitrust and regulatory policy - some believe he is likely to take a softer approach than Neelie Kroes on antitrust cases as his trade union background will make him sensitive to the impact of large fines on EU businesses and jobs. Others believe his centre-left political background could make him tougher on big business. |  | Olivier Guersent will lead the Cabinet of Internal Market and Services Commissioner, Michel Barnier. Guersent, a French national, is head of the European Commission’s Cartels Directorate in DG Competition. He was previously an advisor to former Competition Commissioner Karel van Miert, and served as Deputy-Chef in the Cabinet of current Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes. UK national Jonathan Faull was surprisingly and hastily appointed as the new Director-General for Internal Market and Services, some say as a gesture to the City of London, where many fear heavy-handed regulation of the financial sector from the new Commissioner. The expansion and protection of the internal market and financial services regulation are expected to be the main priorities of the new Commissioner. |  | Timo Pesonen will lead the Cabinet of Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner, Olli Rehn. He previously served as Special Advisor on International Affairs for former Finnish Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen. Rehn’s main priority will be how best to generate economic recovery. In addition, the expansion of the eurozone will feature high on the list of priorities. |  | Michael Köhler will lead the Cabinet of Energy Commissioner, Günter Oettinger. Köhler, a German national, is currently head of Cabinet for Commissioner Borg. Köhler has an academic background from the University of Bonn, but also worked in the German Federal Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development. He joined the Commission in 1994, where he has worked in foreign, maritime and other policy areas. The Energy Commissioner will most likely focus on the integration of energy markets, the development of the so-called “smart” electricity transmission grid and security of supply, as well as energy efficiency and the more rapid introduction of low-carbon technologies. Contrary to some indications, the Energy Commissioner will not gain control over funding earmarked for energy research in other Directorates-General. |  | Christopher Jones will lead the Cabinet of Development Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs. He is currently Director of New and Renewable Sources of Energy in Directorate-General TREN. He is the former Deputy Head of Cabinet to Piebalgs where he was responsible for the co-ordination and strategic development of energy policy. Jones’ move is interesting, as he had moved back into the services about a year ago. Jones is credited with some of the more forward-thinking policies in energy efficiency measures from the current Commission. Prior to this, he held a number of positions in the Commission's Directorate General for Energy. |  | John Bell will lead the Cabinet of Research, Innovation and Science Commissioner, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn. Bell is currently Chef de Cabinet to the European Commissioner for Consumer Affairs Kuneva. He joined the Commission in 1993, working on policies related to Central and Eastern Europe, but also trade and other issues. He was a member of the Cabinet of Irish Commissioner David Byrne, Health and Consumer Protection from 1999 to 2004. One of the major policy issues will be how best to redirect research budgets towards green and decarbonising technologies. |  | Maria (Mia) Åsenius will lead the Cabinet of Home Affairs Commissioner, Cecilia Malmström. Åsenius is currently State Secretary to Cecilia Malmström in her role as Minister for EU Affairs. Åsenius, with an academic background in business and economics, was previously an adviser to European Parliament President Pat Cox, and later became deputy Head of Cabinet for Commissioner Olli Rehn before returning to work with Malmström in Sweden. Upon her nomination, Malmström called for “robust cooperation” throughout Europe in order to effectively tackle the global economic crisis. |  | Kurt Vandenberghe will lead the Cabinet of Environment Commissioner, Janez Potočnik. A Belgian national, Vandenberghe has been a member of Cabinet since 1999, first with Commissioner Philippe Busquin and then with Commissioner Potočnik, the former and current Commissioners responsible for the Science and Research remit. Vandenberghe was promoted to Head of Cabinet last year and will move with Commissioner Potočnik to the Environment portfolio. Prior to his time in the Cabinet he worked in DG Transport. The policy areas the Commissioner is expected to focus on include air, land and water management policies in addition to biodiversity negotiations. |  | Joanna Darmanin will lead the Cabinet of Health and Consumer Policy Commissioner, John Dalli. Darmanin was Deputy Head of Cabinet for Joe Borg, the Maltese Fisheries Commissioner. Before joining the Commission, she worked in the Private Secretariats of the Foreign Minister and the President of Malta (where she dealt with European and multilateral affairs) following a diplomatic posting to the Maltese Permanent Mission to the UN. Among the priorities set out by Dalli for his term as Commissioner include ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of European healthcare systems as well as co-ordinating Member State responses to human and animal pandemics. |  | Antonio Preto will lead the Cabinet of the Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship, Antonio Tajani. Antonio Preto, a lawyer by training, stays on as head of Cabinet, having served in this position in Mr Tajani’s previous posting as Transport Commissioner. Prior to joining the Commissioner’s Cabinet Preto worked in the European Parliament, first as an administrator and lastly in the Cabinet of the former President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering. According to his CV, his experience focuses more on enterprise and industry issues than on transport issues. Among the priorities set out by Tajani following his nomination by Barroso are the strategic framework for an integrated industrial policy and the implementation of the Small Business Act. |  | Peter Vis will lead the Cabinet of Climate Action Commissioner, Connie Hedegaard. A Dutch national, Vis is currently a member of Energy Commissioner Piebalgs’ Cabinet. The overriding aim of the new portfolio is to ensure that the EU meets its 2020 GHG emission reduction and other targets. Hedegaard and Vis will have responsibility for developing and implementing the EU ETS, promoting links with other carbon trading systems, and promoting the development of low-carbon adaptation technologies. The new Climate Action Commissioner will be responsible for the New Entrants' Reserve of the ETS and its use for renewable energy and CCS among others. |  | Antony Whelan returns to lead the Cabinet of Digital Agenda Commissioner, Neelie Kroes. Whelan became known at DG Competition for his rigorous approach to the enforcement of competition policy. A lawyer by training, he previously worked in the European Commission’s legal service where, amongst other things, he headed the Commission team defending the fine against Microsoft before the European Court of First Instance. Whelan studied law at Trinity College Dublin and Cambridge University before qualifying as a barrister in Dublin. Kroes is likely to try and push investment in broadband infrastructure in particular. In her previous role she was keen to make provisions for state aid to ensure people had access to broadband. She will also undoubtedly look into ways of unlocking the digital single market and try to find an economic model to support creative content online and fight piracy, seen as a big challenge of the digital age. |  | Martin Selmayr will lead the Cabinet of Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Commissioner, Viviane Reding. Prior to his job as spokesman for Commissioner Reding, a job he held from late 2004, he worked for the European Central Bank, and for the international media company Bertelsmann, where he also led their Brussels office. Commissioner Reding is widely expected to make privacy one of her main priorities for the next five years. The last Commission did little to address the issue of privacy in the digital age and Reding will undoubtedly want to leave her mark in this area. Behavioural advertising and cloud computing are also likely to be focus areas for the Commissioner. |  | Jochen Richter is expected to lead the Cabinet of International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response Commissioner, Rumiana Jeleva. He was deputy head of Multilingualism Commissioner Leonard Orban's Cabinet. A German national, Richter previously worked in the Conciliations and Co-decision Secretariat of the European Parliament. |  | Anabela Gago will lead the Cabinet of the Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion Commissioner, László Andor. Gago is currently deputy head of Cabinet for Tax and Customs Union Commissioner Kovacs. |  | Philippe Brunet will continue to lead the Cabinet of Androulla Vassiliou as Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth. |  | Marc Lemaitre will lead the Cabinet of Budget and Financial Programming Commissioner, Janusz Lewandowski. Lemaitre is the former Head of Cabinet of outgoing Commissioner Samecki. |  | Stephen Quest will continue to lead the Cabinet of Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-Fraud Commissioner Algirdas Šemeta. |  | Hubert Gambs will lead the Cabinet of Regional Policy Commissioner Johannes Hahn. Gambs was previously in the Cabinet of Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner. |  | Georgios Markopoulitis will lead the Cabinet of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki. |  | Simon Mordue will lead the Cabinet of Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Commissioner, Štefan Füle. |  | Hendrik Hololei will continue to lead the Cabinet of Transport Commissioner, Siim Kallas. |  | Peter Javorcík will lead the Cabinet of Inter-institutional Relations and Administration Commissioner, Maroš Šefčovič. |  | The Chef de Cabinet of Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner, Dacian Ciolos, is rumored to be former Portuguese Agriculture Minister and former Commission official Jaime Silva, but this is unconfirmed at the time of writing. |
| | Peter Skinner MEP’s New Year Newsletter 2010
1. Happy New Year
2. Solvency II
3. Baroness Ashton
4. Bankers Bonuses
5. Liquids in Planes
6. Around the Region
7. My new website
8. South East Matters
9. Animal welfare brochure
10. Trip to the European Parliament in Brussels
1. Happy New Year!
Another busy year of Peter's time as MEP for South East England has begun with lots of issues both new and old to be tackled.
2. Solvency II
On Wednesday 2nd September Peter received a prestigious award from the Insurance industry for new Insurance rules on risk capital which he piloted through the European Parliament known as Solvency II.
3. Baroness Ashton
The United Kingdom had a successful result in Baroness Ashton being nominated as the New European Union’s Foreign Affairs and Security Chief. Baroness Ashton spoke with Peter shortly after her nomination to the role. Previously a Trade Commissioner, Baroness Ashton has the right skills and experience to represent both the Commission and Governments in Foreign and Security issues.
4. Banker's Bonuses
Peter recently issued a press release on Bankers Bonuses emphasising that no Banker should benefit from public money which has been injected into the economy by the Government to protect the banks and business from failing.
The CRD III report currently being prepared by a fellow Labour Member of the European Parliament is designed to ensure that banks have sufficient capital to prevent any future banking crisis.
5. Liquids on Planes
Following the Prime Minister's announcement of a review in airline security type ‘C’ scanners will soon be installed in the UK's airports. These scanners can detect over 20 different types of explosive liquid, allowing passengers to travel on board with liquids and personal belongings. It is estimated that by Jan 2013 there will be sufficient technology installed in all European airports.
6. Around the Region
Peter recently attended an excellent dinner hosted by Laura Moffatt MP at Gatwick Airport. Also in attendance was Jonathan Shaw MP Minister for the South East. The speech was given by Lord Adonis, Secretary of State for Transport who outlined his vision and new initiatives for updating the country’s transport infrastructure.
Peter is pleased to lend his support and those of his office staff in their own time towards Labour campaigns in council by-elections. In September he joined Sam Whittington in Medway, who only failed to win a seat in Luton and Wayfield by 4 votes! There were victories more recently in Crawley, Thanet and Aldershot. In Hastings Labour only failed to win back the council in another by-election by around 40 votes.
7. Peter's new website
Peter asks you to keep a lookout for his new website which will be launched shortly in the new year. This promises to have more of an informal magazine feel, be more interactive and have useful up to the minute news feeds from the European Parliamentary Labour Party, the European Socialist and Democrat group, as well as the UK Labour Party.
8. South East Matters
A second edition of the newspaper South East Matters will appear in the New Year. This will come out in time for the Labour South East Regional Conference which is being held on 19-21 February in Reading. Copies will be available for distribution in targeted areas.
9. Animal welfare brochure
Every month Peter receives more correspondence from constituents regarding animal welfare than on any other issue. In response to this his office is putting together a further issue of the animal welfare brochure, spelling out what action Labour MEPs are taking at European Union level on this important issue.
10. Trip to the European Parliament in Brussels
In December 44 constituents from across the South-East visited Peter in the European Parliament. Feedback indicates that people found it both educational and enjoyable. A visit to the European Parliament in Strasbourg will be advertised in 2010. Please let Adam Price know if you are
interested in coming on a future sponsored visit on email ranicharleyred@yahoo.co.uk or ring him on 07976 969912.
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| European Parliament session 8-11 February 2010 MEPs return to Strasbourg for the next plenary session of the European Parliament. Highlights of the week include: - European Commission - formal vote on 5-year mandate (Tuesday)
- SWIFT - data exchange - vote on EU-US agreement (Wednesdays - debate; vote - Thursday)
- Body scanners - debate Wednesday
- Croatia, Macedonia (FYROM), Turkey - debate Wednesday
European Commission The vote on the election of the new European Commission takes place on Tuesday. There will be a single vote in the European Parliament on whether or not to accept the whole team of Commissioners. It is a roll-call vote, meaning that the names of MEPs voting for or against (and those abstaining) will be published. A simple majority of votes cast is required. The new Commission could potentially take office on 10 February if the European Parliament vote is favourable and provided the European Council has also given its formal approval. MEPs will also vote on a new Framework Agreement on co-operation between the European Commission and Parliament. This Agreement sets out rules on the flow of information between the two institutions and aims to improve the planning and coordination of legislation. The timetable for Tuesday 9 February is as follows (UK times): 8.00am-10.50am Statement by Mr Barroso and debate 11.00am-11.30am Vote on resolution on the Framework Agreement 12.30pm-1.30pm Political group speakers on the European Commission programme; vote on Commission All of the above will of course be available to watch on europarltv. SWIFT On Wednesday afternoon MEPs will debate the SWIFT bank-data transfer agreement between the EU and the US. In a close vote on Thursday (4 February), the Civil Liberties Committee opted to reject the agreement and urged the full Parliament to withhold its consent when it votes on Thursday (11 February). SWIFT forms part of the US Terrorist Finance Tracking Program, but MEPs are raising concerns about personal data protection and judicial redress in the event of unlawful use of the data. A rejection by MEPs would render the agreement legally void. Body scanners With the introduction this week of full-body scanners at London's Heathrow Airport and at Manchester Airport, the European Parliament's debate on Wednesday afternoon could not be more topical. In the coming weeks, the European Commission is due to publish an impact evaluation of body scanners dealing with their effectiveness in improving airport security, their impact on health and looking at issues around passengers' fundamental rights. No parliamentary resolution this time, just a debate on the latest state of play. Croatia/Macedonia (FYROM)/Turkey - progress towards EU accession Wednesday morning's key debate concerns the EU membership negotiations involving Croatia, Turkey and Macedonia (FYROM). The Parliament will adopt resolutions on the state of play in each country's application. With Croatia, negotiations are already underway and may conclude this year. With Turkey, negotiations have begun in 12 policy areas, but there are still major issues to overcome, such as the Cyprus question and the banning of certain political parties. Negotiations with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia may begin this year. The last time the European Parliament debated EU enlargement - on 25 November 2009 - the following UK MEPs spoke: Charles Tannock (Conservative, London); The Earl of Dartmouth (UKIP, South West); Geoffrey Van Orden (Conservative. Eastern); Richard Howitt (Labour, Eastern). Other legislation on the agenda Housing: Housing renovations for marginalised communities will become eligible for European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) monies if the proposed amendments to the Regulation are endorsed by MEPs on Wednesday. This will be the second major amendment to the Regulation's definition of what can be funded, following on from last year's change to allow investments in housing to improve energy efficiency or use of renewable energy. The changes have no impact on the amounts of money available. They simply broaden the eligibility criteria. (Debate Tuesday afternoon; vote Wednesday) UK MEPs Issues being led by UK MEPs include: Online gambling: West Midlands Conservative MEP Malcolm Harbour, who chairs the Parliament's Internal Market Committee, is one of the signatories of an oral question due for discussion on Thursday morning on online gambling. With the European Court of Justice upholding Portugal's right to ban a foreign online gambling site from operating in the country, MEPs are seeking clarity on whether this ruling has any impact on the European Commission's infringement procedures against some Member States for not allowing free circulation of services in the area of online gambling. Needlestick injuries: West Midlands Liberal Democrat MEP Liz Lynne will lead Thursday morning's debate on the EU-wide agreement to protect health workers from needlestick injuries. The agreement, between health unions and employers at EU level, will be binding in all Member States once the Council of Ministers has formally endorsed the proposed directive which incorporates this agreement. As with other so-called social partner agreements of this type, the text cannot be amended by the European Parliament. However, it was the European Parliament itself which called for this legislation back in 2006 after a report by North East Labour MEP Stephen Hughes which highlighted the need for use of safer needles and improved workplace training. South Korea: Scottish Labour MEP David Martin is among the signatories of an oral question to the European Commission on the EU’s Free Trade Agreement with South Korea. MEPs are likely in Wednesday’s debate to raise the issue of the Agreement’s potential impact on European business, especially in the motor industry and in the area of intellectual property. Other issues Gender equality: The annual debate on gender equality is due for Monday evening. Among the proposals in the resolution adopted in the Parliament's Women's Rights Committee: an updating of existing EU rules on equal pay to help break down the continuing gender pay gap; to mark 22 February as International Equal Pay Day; a call for Europe-wide measures on paternity leave; and backing for the establishment of a European centre to monitor inter-gender violence. CITES: Bans on the trade in bluefin tuna and in products emanating from polar bears are among the demands of the European Parliament, set out in a draft resolution due for adoption on Wednesday (debate Tuesday). The resolution is timed to feed in MEPs' views ahead of the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) conference due to take place in Doha on 13-25 March. Guantanamo detainees: The resettlement of Guantanamo detainees in some EU Member States will be discussed on Tuesday afternoon. To-date, the UK and six other EU countries have accepted former prisoners from Guantanamo. Tuesday's debate will look at further possible co-operation with the US on this. Votes on issues already debated Haiti: MEPs will adopt a resolution on Haiti on Wednesday. During the debate on 19 January 2010 in Strasbourg, the following UK MEPs spoke: Linda McAvan (Labour, Yorks & Humber); Nirj Deva (Conservative, South East); Nick Griffin (BNP, North West); Michael Cashman (Labour, West Midlands); Jim Nicholson (UUP, Northern Ireland). Iran: The European Parliament will also adopt its position on latest developments in Iran, following on from the 19 January debate in Strasbourg. Four UK MEPs spoke in that debate: Charles Tannock (Conservative, London); Struan Stevenson (Conservative, Scotland); Andrew Brons (BNP, Yorks & Humber); Geoffrey Van Orden (Conservative, Eastern). Yemen: Wednesday also sees the adoption of a resolution on Yemen. Again, four UK MEPs spoke in the debate on 19 January 2010: Richard Howitt (Labour, Eastern); Geoffrey Van Orden (Conservative, Eastern); Andrew Brons (BNP, Yorks & Humber); Struan Stevenson (Conservative, Scotland). People trafficking: The future direction of EU policy aimed at combating the trafficking in people is the subject of a resolution also due for adoption on Wednesday. In the 19 January 2010 debate in Strasbourg, the following UK MEPs spoke: Claude Moraes (Labour, London); Marina Yannakoudakis (Conservative, London); Catherine Bearder (LibDem, South East) Climate change: The Copenhagen Climate Conference was the subject of a lengthy debate at the last Strasbourg session. As many as 10 MEPs from the UK alone spoke in that debate on 20 January 2010. The Parliament will now adopt a resolution with its views on the outcome of the Conference (vote Wednesday). The UK MEPs who took part in the earlier debate: Martin Callanan (Conservative, North East); Bairbre de Brún (Sinn Feín, Northern Ireland); Nick Griffin (BNP, North West); Chris Davies (LibDem, North West); Godfrey Bloom (UKIP, Yorks & Humber); Fiona Hall (LibDem, North East); Roger Helmer (Conservative, East Midlands); Linda McAvan (Labour, Yorks & Humber); Stuart Agnew (UKIP, Eastern); Andrew Brons (BNP, Yorks & Humber). | Paris,8 February 2010
Node-3 and Cupola: European technology to complete the ISS
Space Shuttle Endeavour was launched at 10:14:08 CET today and is heading for the International Space Station carrying two sophisticated European modules: Node-3 (Tranquility) and Cupola. Their installation will mark the completion of the non-Russian part of the ISS,with more than a third of the pressurised Station elements designed and built in Europe.
Node-3 is part of the Columbus laboratory launch barter agreement with NASA,whereby ESA supplies two of the connecting nodes (Nodes-2 and-3) for the ISS plus additional advanced-technology laboratory equipment and services in return for NASA launching Europe's Columbus lab to the ISS in February 2008.
Thales Alenia Space Italy developed Node-3 based on the experience acquired by it and the Italian Space Agency ASI in designing and building Node-2 and the Multipurpose Logistics Modules (MPLM),which are used to transport cargo to the ISS. Nodes-2 and -3 were built by European industry led by prime contractor Thales Alenia Space Italy.
Cupola is covered by a separate launch barter agreement in exchange for the launch and return of five ESA payloads by NASA and was also built by European industry,with Thales Alenia Space Italy as prime contractor.
Node-3 will provide more space for equipment and the astronauts. The Cupola observation module,the largest and most complex window assembly ever launched into space,will find its home on the Earth-facing port of Node-3. It will provide a unique vantage point for observing Earth and for instruments devoted to studying atmospheric phenomena affecting climate change.
"I am proud to see European technology at the heart of the largest peaceful international cooperation project ever undertaken. We now have responsibility at least as large as what we have accomplished," said Simonetta Di Pippo,ESA Director of Human Spaceflight. "Responsibility to continue and enhance utilisation of this unique laboratory for the benefit of humankind and to build on the know-how that we have acquired to support European industry's competitiveness and Europe's role in future space exploration undertakings."
Better regenerative and life-support systems for the ISS
Node-3 differs significantly from the others. It is state-of-the-art,the most complex pressurised element of the ISS,offering many more capabilities than originally planned. It will accommodate sophisticated crew and life-support equipment,some relocated from the US Destiny laboratory module,leaving more room there for science racks.
Node-3 will be the heart of the Station's life support,removing carbon dioxide,generating oxygen and recycling water. It will house an additional toilet and exercise equipment for the crew of up to six.
Cupola will be used by the crew to operate the Station's robot arm,monitor dockings of the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) and other incoming craft,help out during spacewalks and make scientific observations. It also has an important function as a panoramic relaxation area: one of the most enjoyable experiences aboard the Station is looking down at Earth or up at the stars.
The ISS set to be operated for 10 more years
With only five Shuttle flights left to complete ISS assembly,this launch is an important milestone,not just for the Station and international cooperation but also for Europe. Node 3 and Cupola mark the end of Europe's ISS development programme. Indeed,this mission continues the efforts that began more than two years ago,when Node-2 was launched to the ISS as the first ESA-built permanent pressurised element,and continued on 11 February 2008 with the attachment of Europe's Columbus laboratory.
Since then,Europe has been harvesting scientific results and gaining operational experience thanks to this permanent outpost in space. This experience provides a solid grounding for Europe's essential role in the future of human spaceflight. With extensive experience in international cooperation,a vibrant scientific community eager to seize these research opportunities and a space industry that has demonstrated its capability to develop and operate state-of-the-art spacecraft,Europe is well prepared to embark on future missions. Europe has also started the development of its new transportation system,allowing for a full mission cycle from launch to landing: the Advanced Re-entry Vehicle.
The next ESA astronaut on the ISS will be Roberto Vittori,as a member of the STS-134 crew targeted for a launch on 29 July. The flight will deliver a major scientific instrument,the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer,which may help astronomers understand the origin of the universe by searching for antimatter and dark matter and measuring cosmic rays.
After that,ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli's six-month mission to the ISS will begin in November 2010. He will serve as flight engineer on Expeditions 26 and 27.
Further information:
www.esa.int/Node3 | |
