15/09/2017 (Agence Europe) – Arianespace announced on Thursday 14 September that the European Commission’s is commissioning four new satellites for the European geolocating programme, Galileo. The new satellites are due to be launched from the end of 2020 and the end of 2021 and will be made by Ariane 6. This is the first contract for the future European launcher and will be organised by the European Space Agency (ESA) on behalf of the European Commission’s DG Internal Market and Industry. The company lists ways that a Soyuz launcher might be used. This is a positive signal for the member states, which clearly stressed the need (in a conclusions document for the Competitiveness Council in May (see EUROPE 11798)) for institutional orders to support European launchers. Launchers play a key role in the space strategy for Europe and its aim for autonomous access to space. (PH)