MIKE MARTIN
Europe needs an "ambitious" new technology development programme to hold on to its lead in the telecommunications satellite business, the show heard yesterday.
The call came from Jean-Claude Husson, chairman and chief executive of Alcatel who outlined the success of the French industry in space. While revenues continue to grow steadily, the number of jobs in French aerospace is set to bounce back to 1996 levels when there were more than 13,500. The growth is on the back of a rise in international sales, particularly of telecommunications satellites. "There is a growing demand for telecommunications spacecraft and French manufacturers are winning international contracts despite stiff opposition. Our market share is now 50%," said Husson.
Other highlights included 12 Ariane launches in 2000, including the 100th Ariane 4 lift-off. He adds that while the operational success of Ariane 5 has been demonstrated, there is growing concern over the strength of competitors.
Emphasis
Success in Europe has been met with a renewed emphasis on the United States launcher capability, with $5 billion assigned to it, says Husson.
With the trend towards heavier and more powerful satellites, there "is an urgent requirement for an ambitious new technology development programme to hold on to our lead in performance and quality".
The first step, he says, is to go ahead with the still-to-be-confirmed Ariane 5 Plus enhancement programme, but he warns that at the moment "too little" is being spent on European space research and technology compared with the United States. Slow decision-making in Europe is leading to uncoordinated national space programmes.
Source: Flight Daily News