The European launcher Ariane programme began in Brussels in 1973. Since then it has succeeded beyond anyone's expectations, despite many difficulties. But what do Europeans, the people who have paid for Ariane, think of it? In this programme, Europeans from four countries give their views on Ariane and space in general. The video includes:

0:22 Ariane 1973-1993: Early Ariane launch

0:51 What is Ariane? A Frenchman answers (in French)

1:04 What is Ariane? An Englishman answers (in English)

1:11 What is Ariane? A Frenchman answers (in French)

1:28 What is Ariane? An Italian answers (in Italian)

1:35 What is Ariane? An Englishman answers (in English)

1:46 What is Ariane? An Belgian couple answers (in English)

2:27 Old video from with short clips from different European cities in the fiftieth followed by Blue Streak launch in 1958; Blue Streak was an intermediate-range ballistic missile capable of delivering a one-megaton nuclear warhead to its target. It would be launched from underground silos in the south and east of England and climb above the Earth's atmosphere. Then, it would re-enter the atmosphere in a ballistic trajectory to strike strategic targets in the Soviet Union. Blue Streak was not intended as a first-strike weapon--it would only be launched in response to an incoming Soviet missile strike.

3:06 A second old launch

3:15 Brussels, 31 July 1973: It was decided by European politicians that Europe should start a European launch programme

3:36 What do the European think about the European working together on e.g. launcher efforts: A German answers (in German)

3:58 What do the European think about the European working together on e.g. launcher efforts: An Italian answers (in Italian)

4:19 What do the European think about the European working together on e.g. launcher efforts: A English woman answers (in English)

4:38 What do the European think about the European working together on e.g. launcher efforts: A Frenchman answers (in French)

5:12 What do the European think about the European working together on e.g. launcher efforts: An Italian woman (in Italian)

5:53 What do the European think about the European working together on e.g. launcher efforts: A German answers (in German)

6:03 What do the European think about the European working together on e.g. launcher efforts: A Frenchman answers (in French)

6:24 What do the European think about the European working together on e.g. launcher efforts: A Belgian couple answers (in French)

6:45 The construction of the Kourou launch site leading on the first Ariane launch in 1979 with images from the Kourou launch control centre.

9:41 Is it positive that European work together in technology developments, and together have success in space programmes? A Frenchman answers (in French)

10:02 Is it positive that European work together in technology developments, and together have success in space programmes? An Englishman answers (in English)

10:11 Is it positive that European work together in technology developments, and together have success in space programmes? An Italian answers (in Italian)

10:28 Is it positive that European work together in technology developments, and together have success in space programmes? A German answers (in German)

10:38 Is it positive that European work together in technology developments, and together have success in space programmes? A French couple answers (in French)

10:50 Is it positive that European work together in technology developments, and together have success in space programmes? A German answers (in German)

11:09 Ariane launch with very nice video clip taken from the launcher going up.

12:43 And the clients? Pierre Godiniaux, Direction Generale, France Telecom, explains (in French) what the European Ariane programme has managed in putting European satellites into space.

13:48 Otto Schmeller, Abteilungspresident (General Manager), German Telekom, explains (in German) what the European Ariane programme has managed in putting European satellites into space, and how important it has been for Europe to have t own launcher programme.

14:40 Video from Kourou and animation of Arinae 5 launch

15:47 Has the European space programme been a success and are the Europena expenses in building up a launch programme justified? An Englishman answers (in English)

16:16 Has the European space programme been a success and are the Europena expenses in building up a launch programme justified? An Italian answers (in Italian)

16:27 Has the European space programme been a success and are the Europena expenses in building up a launch programme justified? An Frenchman answers (in French)

16:38 Has the European space programme been a success and are the Europena expenses in building up a launch programme justified? An French woman answers (in French)

16:50 Has the European space programme been a success and are the Europena expenses in building up a launch programme justified? An German answers (in German)

17:18 The End