Judging from a two-day meeting of ministers from European Space Agency (ESA) member countries in The Hague early in December, the Europeans did not hesitate to finance another four ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle) unmanned spacecraft to supply the international space complex. In addition, all 18 ministers in the leading core of ESA came out for an extension of the station's life after it reaches its estimated deadline in 2015.

Previously, the ESA countries - 18 states - had decided to earmark 10 billion euros for space programs for the next three years, the main of which will be the ISS program. According to Christian Feichtinger, the head of ESA's Moscow office, extension proposals should be prepared before 2010.

Europe appears to want an active role in the orbiting manned space program, by relying on its own efforts and without looking back at the distinguished partners.

The current European decision on the ISS is fully in line with Russia's aspirations. The Russian Space Agency (Roscosmos) has repeatedly urged an extension of the station's service life.

For Russia the station is the only chance to continue manned flights, which by established wisdom are the basis for and main indicator of a national space program's success.

Russia's potential, however, remains largely unused. The first reason for this is Russia's slowly progress in the construction of a new transport manned space system, which must ultimately replace the legendary, time-hallowed, reliable and many times upgraded obsolete Soyuz spacecraft.

By all appearances, after the seemingly successful Kliper program was abandoned in 2006, Roscosmos has put its bets on European cooperation in space transport. But ESA is in no hurry to give a final yes. At The Hague meeting, too, the ministers decided to take more time.

Meanwhile, the European ambitions are understandable. The successes scored by the first ATV are offering a good chance economically and technically to convert the craft from an unmanned space truck into a real manned system. Should this happen, neither Russia nor America will be required to deliver Europeans aboard the station.

New Russian vehicles, however, will not appear until after 2018, according to Roscosmos chief Anatoly Perminov.

The Europeans, in the meantime, will be able, given the desire, to make the orbiting complex their monopoly.

The opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily represent those of RIA Novosti.

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