TIM FURNISS / LONDON
As the European Space Agency (ESA) planned for an emergency council meeting on 27 May, the European Parliament called on member states to "wake up to the unprecedented crisis" threatening the future of the European Union's space industry. Key issues are the stalled Galileo satellite navigation project and the troubled Ariane 5 launcher.
Galileo is still delayed after Spain blocked the release of $644 million in a dispute over project leadership with Germany and Italy, and ESA says time is running short. The $4.2 billion project must launch its first satellite by 2005 or lose its allocated broadcasting frequencies.
The 27 May ESA meeting in Paris will also discuss the restructuring of the Ariane operation and how to boost its competitiveness in the market with the qualification of the Ariane 5 ECA launcher. Failures of the Ariane 5 and the depressed commercial satellite market mean "immediate measures" are needed to preserve a European launch capability, says ESA. But it adds that as Ariane 5 and Vega will operate at least until 2020, there is no urgent need to decide on a next-generation launcher concept before the end of the decade. Ago/no-go decision is expected around 2013, ESA adds.
Also under discussion will be the future of the International Space Station.
Source: Flight International
