Re: ESA is not an EU organisation
'I think you'll find it's a bit more complicated than that'... True that EU membership does not dictate ESA membership, however it does seem to have an impact on how contracts are carried out through ESA. Particularly as Galileo is EU funded. See the House of Lords notes:
'The EU set the procurement rules for how Galileo should be procured in terms of industrial policy and access by third countries outside the EU … and ESA had to follow those rules'. Stuart Martin, CEO and Executive Director, Satellite Applications Catapult, cited the example of Canada, which funded some equipment development for Galileo but was subsequently excluded from bidding in the procurement phase.
So it's also about the type and size of work we get and not just whether we are still a member.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
