Space Agencies: ESA funds five European startups, Italy absent. A missed opportunity? - Economic Scenarios

Space Agencies: ESA funds five European startups, Italy absent. A missed opportunity? - Economic Scenarios

The European Space Agency has selected five space launch startups to receive up to €169 million ($198 million) in funding to develop alternatives to Arianespace, the continent's current launch service provider, according to European Spaceflight. These companies will move on to a further round of interviews to select companies for two distinct components: component a) involves the provision of in-orbit services and b) the demonstration of improve…

ArianeGroup CEO on European Launcher Challenge limits and US v Europe government support for heavy-lift vehicles - Space Intel Report

LA PLATA, Maryland — The chief executive of Ariane 6 prime contractor ArianeGroup said European governments should re-balance their contributions to heavy-lift rocket development and operations by making sure all member states contribute to it, and not just the 13 nations that now finance Ariane 6. Martin Sion also called for the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Commission to rethink future heavy-lift launcher development starting ar…