On 2 December ESA concluded a productive one-day Council Meeting at Ministerial Level in Luxembourg.

Ministers from European Space Agency (ESA) Member States have approved the development of a new family of launchers.

Ready for its first launch in 2020, Ariane 6 will complement and succeed the highly successful Ariane 5 launch vehicle.

Ariane 6 will enable Europe to retain independent access to space and remain competitive in the global launcher market.

The Ministers also agreed funding for the International Space Station and Space Exploration.