Author Topic: Arianespace Subsidies, Space Station Extension Win ESA Backing  (Read 3765 times)

Offline 2552

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http://spacenews.com/civil/arianespace-subsidies-space-station-extension-win-esa-backing.html

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WASHINGTON — The European Space Agency (ESA) on March 17 agreed to commit Europe to continue participating in the international space station through 2020, and to paying 240 million euros ($318 million) over two years to support the Arianespace commercial launch consortium and the Ariane 5 heavy-lift rocket, European government and industry officials said.

Offline space nut

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I'm very glad they have done this, now if they can also work with us for
cis-lunar and more. I also would like them to start their own manned
program. They would only need the capsule and use the ATV components.
Just think they could purchase cst-100, dragon, or dreamchasers and still
launch on Ariane 5.
Why is there air ?

Offline robertross

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Well it's pretty good news, considering.

Now if they can only ensure the ISS is fully supported, and acheive what it was set out to do. Hope.

Offline PeterAlt

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This agreement is very American-like of them! However, our Congress remains discunctional.

Offline bolun

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12772805

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The 10 Esa nations that subscribe to the station project approved a 550m-euro sum at the Paris gathering to supplement the 1.4bn-euro package passed at the Ministerial Council in The Hague, Netherlands, in 2008.

This extra money will cover commitments until the next Ministerial at the end of 2012, when member states will then initiate a 2bn-euro arrangement to take European participation at the ISS through to 2020.

By the end of the decade, it is expected Europe will have spent about 9bn euros over the full 25 years of the project.

The 2020 date, however, is a minimum extension at the moment. Engineers believe much of the infrastructure in orbit will be serviceable well beyond that time.

Most of the living and working space on the non-Russian side of the station has been fabricated in Europe and its engineers believe their modules should still be fit for purpose in 2028.

Offline simonbp

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Now if they can only ensure the ISS is fully supported, and acheive what it was set out to do.

Which is what precisely?

The real point of ISS was to prove that it could be built. That done, I'm not clear on what more they're going to get out manning it for the next nine years...

Offline Space Pete

The BBC article linked below says that ESA will get two flight assignment slots between 2015 and 2020, and that they're looking to buy a third slot in that timeframe.

We already know that ESA has three slots prior to 2015, so, all six 2009 ASCANS should get to fly prior to 2020 - including Tim Peake! :)
NASASpaceflight ISS Editor

Offline hektor

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Or that an astronaut (presumably Italian) will get to fly twice while the UK guy stays on the ground.

Some of these "ESA oppportunities" you mention are indeed ASI opportunities negociated for the MPLMs and are earmarked for Italian ESA astronauts.
« Last Edit: 03/22/2011 10:32 am by hektor »

Offline bolun

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ESA's Council decisions
 
22 March 2011

Decisions on the future of the European space sector were made at ESA’s Council meeting in Paris on 16 and 17 March.

ESA Member States participating in the International Space Station (ISS) exploitation programme have decided to concur with the ISS partners' objective to extend the duration of their involvement in ISS cooperation until the end of 2020. Participating States have committed €550 million to cover the period until the next Ministerial Council of ESA in 2012, where they will take new financial commitments.
This decision provides the framework for new development activities aimed especially at fulfilling Europe’s obligations towards the financing of its part of the exploitation costs of the ISS, therefore opening the door to future industrial developments to be undertaken by European industry. 
 
The Council also adopted a Resolution on transparency and short-term measures for European launchers exploitation. ESA Member States reaffirmed the need to maintain an independent, reliable, cost-effective and affordable access to space for Europe.

The adoption of this Resolution was accompanied by relevant financial commitments from ESA Member States participating in the Ariane 5 development programme to ensure that ESA-owned infrastructure, on which the Ariane 5 exploitation relies, is run and maintained operationally until the next Ministerial Council in 2012. Participating States committed €222.5 million for that purpose.

Finally, the Council approved the proposal by ESA’s Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain of a new team of Directors who will accompany him in dealing with the new challenges for ESA in the years to come.

http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMGN71U5LG_index_0.html

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