Airbus Defence and Space, number two worldwide in space technologies, hails a series of decisions taken at European Space Agency (ESA) Ministerial Council meeting in Luxembourg that underline the member states’ support for, and commitment to safeguarding Europe’s continued independent access to space and its part in the world’s space adventure.

“This summit will go down in history as a bold step forward for European Space. The decisions taken represents a new boost for the launcher industry, the basis for all space activities, and for the overall European space sector and its thousands of employees whose expertise and passion keep the industry moving forward. I would like to pay tribute to the outstanding work that the member states and their space agencies have carried out under the coordination of the European Space Agency since the Naples meeting, in late 2012,” said François Auque, Head of Space Systems. “In particular, I would like to thank the ESA General Director, Jean-Jacques Dordain, the Ministers in charge of space, and the representatives of the space agencies for their trust.”

Airbus Defence and Space is delighted that Human Space Flight will continue, notably with the Orion capsule’s European service module, building on the success of the ATV programme, and that the International Space Station will continue to operate through this decade. The decisions taken in Luxembourg will also enable ongoing support for the future of telecommunications, most notably through Anysat, and will strengthen Copernicus, Europe’s Earth monitoring and observation programme.

“Airbus Defence and Space and its partners in the European space industry will now put all their efforts and know-how into taking up the challenge and delivering. The European adventure in space has only just begun,” added Auque.