French funding for Esa heads skywards

Economy and research ministers stress importance of Europe’s space programme

France is to increase its funding of the European space programme by 20 per cent, with economy minister Bruno Le Maire calling on the other member states of the European Space Agency to join forces more effectively to fulfil their ambitions in the space sector.

Speaking at Esa’s ministerial conference, held in Paris on 22 and 23 November, Le Maire said: “There must be a single Europe, a single European space policy, and unwavering unity in the face of Chinese and American ambitions.”