Launchers are on the higher end of the space value chain. Given the importance of the subject, in 2014 ESA requested an independent consulting team to perform a dedicated study to assess ex-post the direct, indirect and induced socio-economic impacts of the Ariane 5 programme (mid-term evaluation) and of the Vega programme (early evaluation).
Both Ariane 5 and Vega were funded by ESA within the frame of the “optional programmes”.