Text of a lecture delivered at the 40th C.E.P.E.C. information dinner on 9 December 1965. Albert Ducrocq, president of the Cosmos-Club de France, makes the case for an ambitious European space policy. Drawing an analogy with the early days of electricity, he outlines the practical applications of space activities (mapping, meteorology, telecommunications) and their scientific dimensions (particle physics, space biology), and warns that Europe risks becoming a "technological colony" without adequate investment. The volume also includes a letter by Jean Delorme (president of Eurospace), an opening address by Georges René Laederich, a question-and-answer session, and a closing address by Count François de Clermont-Tonnerre.