Space: February 8, 2004

Archives

The European Union (EU) is paying Russia $152 million to upgrade several of it's Soyuz satellite launchers for use at the European Space Agency (ESA) launch facility in French Guiana. This complex is close to the equator, and thus can put more weight in orbit than the same launcher operating at higher latitudes. The ESA is also spending $361 million to build a launch pad for the Soyuz. The ESA facility has more work than it can handle, and the Russian Soyuz, while old, is reliable (1700 launches) and cheaper (by about 25 percent) than any of ESA other vehicles. 

 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contribute. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   contribute   Close