ESA Studying New European Launcher Needs
The European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded two study contracts to look at what new launch vehicle it should develop as part of its New European Launch Service (NELS) initiative.
Europe currently offers launch services on three launch vehicles: the large Ariane 5, the medium-class Soyuz, and the small Vega. What new vehicle or vehicles are needed to meet future demand is the subject of two feasibility study contracts ESA awarded to one team led by MT Aerospace in Germany and another by Astrium ST in France. The studies began this month and preliminary results are expected in September as input to the upcoming ESA ministerial meeting in November. ESA’s governing Council of Ministers meets every three-four years to make major policy and programmatic decisions.
The 12-month study contracts are intended to define the future European launch service sector in response to requirements developed by ESA in consultation with European governments and telecommunications satellite operators.
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