European nations finally resolved the long-running political dispute over the Galileo global navigation satellite system last week and have made a pledge to streamline future projects.
Galileo was given the green light from European Space Agency (ESA) member states after a year-long wrangle over workshare and funding, at a meeting that also saw two other large projects receive approval.
European telecommunications ministers adopted a six-month-old Spanish plan to use funds previously set aside for overspend to cover a €6 million ($7.15 million) increase in each nation's investment, to break the deadlock.
Spain had been blocking a rival proposal to base the project in Germany in return for an increased Italian share of the work, at Spain's expense.
Under the final structure, Spain has 10.25% of the workshare, an increase from 9.5%; while France, Germany, Italy and the UK all have just under the 17.5% they originally requested. The remainder is shared among the other 10 ESA members.
The satellite project will be administered in Brussels, with "system leadership" located in Germany, and an "engineering headquarters" based in Italy.
Galileo is a civilian rival to the US global positioning system and European ministers are keen to lessen Europe's dependence on US technology, especially in the wake of the politically divisive Iraq war.
ESA ministers also gave the go-ahead to allow Arianespace-operated Russian Soyuz rockets to be launched from its Kourou base outside Cayenne, French Guiana, starting in 2006.
Russia will supply the vehicle while ESA will pay for a new launch pad to be built and the deal is described as the "cornerstone" of long-term co-operation with Russia within the framework of the future launchers preparatory programme.
Claudie Haigneré, France's research minister, says the alliance with Russia is "fundamental for Europe", and that "these historical decisions ensure Europe's strategic access to space is guaranteed".
ESA had been stung by strong criticism of the lengthy bureaucratic process delaying Galileo (Flight International, 27 May-2 June) and the agency used the meeting to streamline the launch sector to avoid a repetition.
EADS will be the sole industrial contractor for Ariane rockets, with Arianespace the operator and ESA the developer for future projects.
Ministers also approved a new funding injection of €960 million to secure the future of the Ariane holding company Arianespace, which is set to report a loss of c96 million for last year.
Source: Flight International
