Space research is strategic in nature, its applications are numerous and its role in forming a high-level community is indisputable. The need for an ambitious space policy at the level of the enlarged Union, with autonomous access to space, was therefore affirmed by the White Paper for a European Space Policy, drawn up in 2004 by the European Commission and the European Space Agency. However, it seems to the Academy of Sciences that it is necessary to stress the need to make the necessary efforts in terms of human, financial and structural resources so that European space research can remain competitive. This report is an explanation of the position of the Academy, which has undertaken a reflection on scientific research using space assets, divided into two stages: — the first part of this book proposes a series of recommendations on the general organisation of space research and its funding; — the second part analyses French space research by identifying strengths and weaknesses and drawing on preliminary reports by discipline drawn up by the specialists involved in such research. For each discipline, a summary report and specific recommendations have been prepared. General recommendations are also presented. Space related activities now go well beyond space research, although it has been the driving force behind their initial development: this report therefore provides broad developments on space user research and deals with space infrastructures, their technology and operational programmes only to the extent that they have strong links and/or implications with space research.