Europe smarts as Elon Musk's SpaceX wins key satellite deal
Europe's Ariane 6 faces setbacks as EUMETSAT chooses SpaceX for satellite launch despite Ariane 6's upcoming debut. Competition between rockets highlighted. Ariane 6 prepares for July 9 launch amidst challenges.
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Europe's Ariane 6 space rocket faces setbacks as the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) opts to pay SpaceX for launching its weather satellite instead of waiting for Ariane 6. The decision comes despite Ariane 6's upcoming maiden launch on July 9. EUMETSAT's choice to go with SpaceX over Ariane 6 has been deemed "surprising" by European Space Agency's director general Josef Aschbacher. The move highlights the competition between European-made rockets and SpaceX's cost-effective Falcon 9. EUMETSAT's Director General Phil Evans defended the decision, citing exceptional circumstances. The MTG-S1 satellite launch with SpaceX is scheduled for 2025, allowing Ariane 6 time to demonstrate its capabilities. Despite the setback, Ariane 6 is gearing up for its inaugural flight on July 9, with plans for subsequent missions using different versions of the rocket. The decision to choose SpaceX over Ariane 6 underscores the challenges faced by European space agencies in balancing cost-effectiveness and supporting local aerospace industries.
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