Airbus, Safran Push New Ariane 6 Plan,Restructure of Europe's Rocket Industry

摘要

European space-hardware builders Airbus and Safran have proposed that the French and European space agencies scrap much of their previous 18 months' work on a next-generation Ariane 6 rocket in favor of a design that includes much more liquid propulsion. The two companies further said they will merge their rocket divisions into a single joint-venture entity that would expand to take over Ariane production and sales. The proposal, which has the apparent backing of the French government and which one European government official said would detonate a "Big Bang" in Europe's rocket sector, has forced its way onto the agenda of the European Space Agency, which has agreed to review it July 16, according to European government officials.