Space
Ariane 6: key takeaways from the 9 July 2024 maiden flight
Europe's new heavy launcher made its inaugural flight from the Guiana Space Centre. Architecture, versions and programme stakeholders.
Space
Space
Galileo: architecture, services and governance of Europe's satellite navigation system
In service since 15 December 2016, Galileo relies on three orbital planes at an altitude of 23,222 km. Europe's navigation system offers five services, including a Public Regulated Service reserved for governmental use.
Space
CNES and ESA: who does what in European space governance
A national agency founded in 1961, CNES represents France at ESA, an intergovernmental organisation of 23 Member States. It is a multi-layered architecture, completed by the European Union's own programmes.
Space
IRIS²: the architecture and industrial set-up of the EU's sovereign constellation
Established by Regulation (EU) 2023/588, the IRIS² constellation is due to provide secure connectivity to European governments by 2030. Its deployment has been entrusted to the SpaceRISE consortium under a 12-year concession.
Space
Guiana Space Centre: the strengths and economics of Europe's spaceport
Selected in 1964 from fourteen candidate sites, the Guiana Space Centre owes a decisive advantage for geostationary launches to its latitude of 5° North. ESA funds around two-thirds of its annual budget.