THE EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY'S plan to spend $4.6 billion on the Columbus space-station programme by 2000, and a further $7 billion to support its operation as part of the Alpha space station for 15 years, has been jeopardised by some member countries. The rebels, including France and Germany, are pressing for an initial budget of around only $2.5 billion. The programme includes the funded Columbus attached module -part of the mock-up is pictured - which will be launched in 2011 and the proposed, but as yet unfunded, Ariane 5-boosted Crew Transport and Automatic Cargo vehicles. Any firm decisions on the programmes, are unlikely to be made, before the third quarter of this year.
Source: Flight International