Modern life is increasingly dependent on services that rely on space-based technologies: global communications, television, weather forecasts and Earth observation, positioning and navigation systems have become part of our daily lives. These all require reliable, high-performance launch systems.
With the highly successful Ariane launchers, ESA’s Member States benefit from an independent access to space since 1979, a fundamental condition in order to have a credible space programme and develop competitive space applications and services, key elements of economic growth and employment.
Today’s versions of Ariane 5, developed by ESA, can place multiple satellites into orbit. They lift payloads that weigh up to 10 t into geostationary transfer orbit and over 20 t into the low Earth orbit of the International Space Station.
The new, small ESA-developed launcher Vega carries satellites weighing up to 1.5 t into low Earth orbit, expanding the services provided by Ariane. With the medium Russian Soyuz launcher that carries satellites of up to 3.2 t into geostationary orbit, Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana offers a full range of launch services and capabilities.
Together with national space agencies, ESA stimulates industrial development of new concepts and technologies for a next generation of launchers to guarantee a more competitive access to space for Europe in the long term and to bring space closer to Earth.