Jean-Jacques Dordain: Report makes sound recommendations

"The loss of Space Shuttle Columbia and her crew on 1 February has deeply affected the space community worldwide," he says.

"Esa recognises the outstanding work done by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board and all who contributed to a report of exceptional quality making sound recommendations.

What is the situation regarding the ISS and Esa?

We have still to discuss that. In July we met all the international partners and we will meet again in October when we will look at a revised occupation plan for the ISS.

The Columbia accident requires a revision of the ISS implementation plan. We will reach the final decisions on this by the beginning of next year.

We have European astronauts going to the ISS very soon, in October onboard a Russian Soyuz capsule, and in April of next year we will be sending up another one.

ISS: Europe's manned spaceflight focus

Following the Columbia accident there has been some debate about the value of sending humans into space. What is Esa's view?

It is a good question but I feel that this is not an accident that can be used as the basis for questioning manned spaceflight. This is not the right time.

Manned spaceflight is part of not only current space activities but also part of human history.

Manned spaceflight is part of Esa activities and we are still committed to providing our contribution to the ISS.

Some have questioned the value of the ISS, saying it's a scientific white elephant that just goes around in circles, what do you say to such views?

The ISS cannot be justified on scientific grounds alone, it is much more than a scientific venture. But if we do not spend the money on the ISS then it will not go to science.

Looking at Esa's history I see that the only time there was a significant increase in the science programme was in 1987 when the ISS and the powerful Ariane 5 rocket had been decided.

The cancellation of proposed Hermes manned mini-shuttle in 1992 did not give one Euro more to the scientists. It meant a decrease for everything, overall space activity and in its wake there was a decrease in space science as well.

Someday Esa astronauts will walk on Mars

With the reappraisal of the direction of the US space programme in the wake of the Columbia accident, do you think it is time to consider sending astronauts beyond Earth orbit?

I am sure that astronauts should go beyond Earth orbit.

As director general of Esa I have to look at priorities within the constraints of Esa's budget. I put priority on applications programmes for the benefit of the quality of life on Earth with an emphasis on science. Manned spaceflight is not priority number one in terms of our budget.

However, man will go beyond Earth orbit. My feeling, speaking as a person and not as a director general, is that the public is very interested in manned spaceflight.