A worker of Ariane Group stands in front of a Ariane 6 rocket's Vulcain 2.1 engine, prior to the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron, in Vernon, France January 12, 2021. Christophe Ena/Pool via REUTERS/File PhotoPARIS, Nov 6 -
The agreement covers the second batch of Ariane 6 launches after previous commitments covered an inaugural test flight, recently delayed to 2024, and 14 commercial launches. The deal between Europe's three leading launch nations also clarifies usage of the European spaceport in French Guiana and opens up competition to future launchers, Le Maire said.
The agreement provides for up to 340 million euros of public support for Ariane 6 from 2026 to address soaring costs and calls on industry to reduce its own costs by 11%.The deal follows six months of talks amid signs of differences as France lobbied for Ariane 6 support and Germany pressed for future competition in the France-led launch sector.
"This is a major success and a decisive point in European space history. It preserves European unity on the question of access to space," Le Maire told reporters followingBlock's shares jumped nearly 16% at open to their highest since mid-September on Friday, rallying after analysts lauded the payments firm's sharpened focus on profitability and a $1 billion stock buyback plan.