Delayed launchers should fly this year, says European space chief

Josef Aschbacher says Ariane 6 on track for summer and Vega-C for later this year

Europe’s two delayed space launchers should finally fly this year, according to the head of the European Space Agency, after years of delays that have left the continent without autonomous access to space.

“We are on track for the inaugural flights of Ariane 6 between mid-June and the end of July, and the return to flight of Vega-C before the end of the year,” Esa director general Josef Aschbacher told the press on 11 January.