The head of the German space agency on Dec. 13 said Germany is preparing for a tough battle in 2012 to persuade its debt-burdened European partners to continue a large investment in the international space station. Johann-Dietrich Woerner, executive chairman of the German Aerospace Center, DLR, said Germany also expects a difficult debate with France over whether to begin substantial investment in a next-generation rocket to replace the heavy-lift Ariane 5 when European Space Agency (ESA) governments meet in November to discuss a multiyear spending package.
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