RT.com
12 Aug 2022, 23:43 GMT+10
The European Space Agency is looking for alternative launch systems after breaking away from Russia's Roscosmos
The European Space Agency (ESA) is considering Elon Musk's SpaceX as an option to fill the launch gap created by Europe's break away from Russia's Roscosmos, according to ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher.
In an interview with Reuters published on Friday, Aschbacher said the ESA had already begun preliminary technical discussions with the space company, which could temporarily provide its launchers. The agency lost access to Russia's Soyuz rockets after sanctioning Moscow over its ongoing military operation in Ukraine.
Space X has emerged as a key contender to fill the gap alongside Japan and India. However, the final decision will depend on the unresolved timetable for Europe's delayed Ariane 6 rocket, Reuters reports.
"I would say there are two-and-a-half options that we're discussing. One is SpaceX, that is clear. Another one is possibly Japan," Aschbacher told the outlet, noting that Tokyo is still waiting for the inaugural flight of its next-generation rocket.
Aschbacher stated that SpaceX was the more operational of the contenders and would most likely be one of the "back-up launches" the ESA would consider, but noted that talks are still at an exploratory phase as many technical details need to be examined.
He explained that switching to a new rocket was not the same as "jumping on a bus," and that things like the interface between satellite and launcher must be suitable for one another, lest unfamiliar types of vibrations compromise the payload.
Until now, the ESA has depended on the Italian Vega for small payloads, Russia's Soyuz for medium ones, and the Ariane 5 for heavy missions. Last month, the agency debuted the next-generation Vega C, but its new Ariane 6 rocket, which is meant to replace the Ariane 5 and Soyuz, has been delayed until next year, causing a potential gap in launches.
Aschbacher said Moscow's decision to pull its staff from the European spaceport in French Guiana, indefinitely postponing all ESA missions involving the Soyuz spacecraft, served as a "wake-up call" that Europe had been "too dependent on Russia." He added that Europe's decade-long cooperation strategy with Russia in gas and other areas including space was "no longer working."
Meanwhile, companies that have severed ties with Moscow over the conflict in Ukraine have been increasingly looking to SpaceX's Falcon 9 to conduct launches. Satellite internet firm OneWeb, a competitor of SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet venture, booked at least one Falcon 9 launch in March, while Northrop Grumman has booked three Falcon 9 missions to ferry NASA cargo to the International Space Station.
(RT.com)
Get a daily dose of Business Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Business Sun.
More InformationREDMOND, Washington: Artificial intelligence is transforming Microsoft's bottom line. The company saved over US$500 million last year...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: A federal rule designed to make it easier for Americans to cancel subscriptions has been blocked by a U.S. appeals...
BASTROP, Texas: In a surprising turn at Elon Musk's X platform, CEO Linda Yaccarino announced she is stepping down, just months after...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Former British prime minister Rishi Sunak will return to Goldman Sachs in an advisory role, the Wall Street...
LONDON, U.K.: Physically backed gold exchange-traded funds recorded their most significant semi-annual inflow since the first half...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks rebounded Tuesday with all the major indices gaining ground. Markets in the UK, Europe and Canada...
REDMOND, Washington: Artificial intelligence is transforming Microsoft's bottom line. The company saved over US$500 million last year...
BASTROP, Texas: In a surprising turn at Elon Musk's X platform, CEO Linda Yaccarino announced she is stepping down, just months after...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: An elaborate impersonation scheme involving artificial intelligence targeted senior U.S. and foreign officials in...
CULVER CITY, California: TikTok is preparing to roll out a separate version of its app for U.S. users, as efforts to secure a sale...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The U.S. government has granted GE Aerospace permission to resume jet engine shipments to China's COMAC, a person...
Houston [US], July 12 (ANI): The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has announced that it will provide live coverage...