European Space Agency officials say a revamped undertaking to prepare basic technologies for future-generation launch systems is beginning to show tangible results. However, the effort must be maintained and even accelerated if Europe wants to remain competitive in the launcher sector, they warn. Work on next-generation launchers has progressed in fits and starts during the past two decades, hampered by jockeying for power among Europe's major launch system backers and the diversion of large sums for recovery of the Ariane 5 ECA heavy-lifter after its maiden failure in 2002.
展开▼
