The ESF Space Sciences Unit (SSU) is the scientific and administrative contact point within ESF and its interface to MO liaisons on all space sciences related matters. It manages and provides the Secretariat for the ESF’s European Space Sciences Committee (ESSC) and supervises all space-related activities using ESF instruments or external contracts (ESA, EC, etc). At the interface between ESF and the space scientific communities, SSU encourages space researchers to make good use of ESF resources as part of their work in space science research. One key role for the Unit is to deliver advice and counsel on how best to coordinate space-related activities, at national and pan-European level.
The structure of the Unit enables it to integrate all the different disciplines of space research (research on, in and from space), and create a dynamic environment for focused debate and discussion. SSU also interfaces with space-related organizations and communities on issues that are not regularly managed through research councils, thus providing a unified approach to multi-disciplinary research into space – a unique aspect of this unit, and also unique in Europe. The 2003 review of ESSC led the Committee to try and strengthen its relationships with its Funding Institutions (EFOs). An annual meeting has been set up to exchange on issues of common interest and a restricted section of the web site is maintained for these exchanges. A discussion is ongoing to evolve the governance of these annual meetings.
In 2010, SSU supervises two ESA contracts (peer-review of ELIPS proposals; planetary protection), two EC FP7 contracts (CAREX, THESEUS), and one ESF-ESA Forward Look (TECHBREAK).
ESF provides the scientific, administrative and technical secretariat for COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology).