The European Ministers of Space reached Tuesday in Luxembourg to a "historic" agreement to build Ariane 6, a new competitive rocket should fly in 2020, announced the French Secretary of State for Research Geneviève Fioraso.
"With this historic decision," Europe provides "a strong response to international competition in a strategic sector for the European sovereignty, for its industry for employment," Ms. Fioraso said. Europe has committed to funding 4 billion for Ariane 6, a sum that includes the construction of a new launch pad in Kourou (French Guiana), and the evolution of the Vega small launcher.
In total, it provides an overall budget for launchers 8 billion over ten years. The goal is to face increased competition in the market for satellite launches. "This is a success, I dare say a great success," said Jean-Jacques Dordain, Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA). The German Minister Brigitte Zypries said she was "satisfied." "The agreement is good for the industry and employment in Germany," she said.
It took months of negotiations within ESA and especially between France and Germany, the main contributors of the Ariane program, to achieve this agreement. France has committed up to 52% and Germany 22%.
The current European Ariane 5 rocket put on track in 1987, has been flying since 1996. After a difficult start, it has served its purpose very well and currently has 62 consecutive success.
She has won more than 50% of the commercial market of satellite launches, but its leadership is threatened by the American SpaceX Falcon, which has a very aggressive pricing policy.
Adjustable in two versions - a light with two boosters and a heavy four - Ariane 6 will be adapted to both the institutional requirements (scientific satellites, space probes ...) and commercial flights (telecom satellites, television ...).
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