Europe in the 2nd Space Race

A French parliamentary group (not sure what that means) has said the the 2nd space race has started with India and China's lunar plans as well as China's ASAT Test last month. They believe Europe should be part of it. I welcome more countries going into space (particularly friendly ones).

Some of their advice:

• France should begin preparing nuclear-powered satellites to permit deep-space exploration, using expertise at the French Atomic Energy Commission and in French industry.
• Europe’s heavy-lift Ariane 5 rocket should be made capable of launching astronauts within five years.
• France and other European governments should give assistance to companies that propose to develop suborbital flight systems designed to create a space-tourism industry.