There was a clear gap in the European market for multi-junction GaAS Solar Cells, with this technology being primarily procured in the US. Europe needed to invest in this area to gain a competitive edge for performance, price and delivery. Recommendations included concentrating resources in a common development programme, with the aim of achieving a large-scale production capability. This was subsequently initiated within the ESA Technology Research Programme, with co-ordination with German and Italian activities. European multi-junction cells are now used in Herschel-Plank spacecraft.