ESA approves Ariane-6 expansion roadmap
September 8, 2021
By Chris Forrester
The European Space Agency (ESA) has given its approval on Europe’s exploitation of the new Ariane 6 rocket as well as the smaller Vega-C launcher.
A meeting on September 6th saw approval given for a roadmap for new and innovative space transportation solutions for the next decade and a framework for associated short cycle demonstrations.
The decision sets the financial and other conditions for the first three years of “stabilised exploitation” of Europe’s new launch vehicles “to provide guaranteed access to space for Europe in the coming years”, the ESA said.
However, the ESA declined to give the financial details, nor the actual prices charged for an Ariane or Vega launch but which “had been agreed upon”.