The European Space Agency (ESA) is the body which decides the scope and direction of European space initiatives. It is funded by its participating states, currently 18 in number. Each contributes according to its own economic power. The body controls the funding of existing activities such as the planar rocket and space station projects but is also responsible for the initiation of new projects like a new generation of weather satellites. Some of the programs are compulsory but others are not and member states are free to choose in which of the latter they will become involved. There is a direct correlation between the amount of money that a state agrees to invest in a program and the amount of benefit it can expect in return through contracts awarded to its domestic space industry. ESA directors are keen to maintain a high level of funding from its member states even in times of global economic downturn. They believe that a longer term view is needed.

In a study of 3,000 employed men in the 19-70 age range over a period of 10 years, researchers found that those working for inconsiderate bosses were more likely to suffer from stress and stress-related illness than those working for more considerate and enlightened bosses. Previous research had shown that employees with inconsiderate bosses suffered from high blood pressure which is known to increase the risk of heart disease. In the latest survey the researchers asked employees to assess the competence of their bosses as leaders. They found that those who had categorised their boss as incompetent were 25% more at risk of serious heart disease and that this level of risk increased the longer they continued to work for the same boss. The statistics took into account external factors such as social class, educational background, lifestyle and any existing illness. The researchers recommended that should their findings be confirmed, managers should be given training to help them improve