BBC NEWS: Europe's space industry takes off

BBC NEWS"Europe's space industry takes off.

Despite these successes, one in five workers in Europe's space industry have lost their jobs in recent years because of a slump in demand for satellites from the telecoms sector. Yet help could now be at hand thanks to a new player in the space business - the European Union. The French-based company Arianespace is a key player in the European space industry. It has been responsible for putting more than 250 satellites into orbit, and last year it ordered 30 new heavy Ariane 5 launching rockets from the European aerospace giant EADS. This multi-billion dollar order has put rocket production on a much firmer economic footing, says Arianespace's chief executive, Jean Yves Le Gall.

Arianespace has half of the market of the commercial launches, he says. "In the field of the scientific programme, Europe has got tremendous results. Europe today plays a leading role and with probably a much more efficient system than its competitors.

The German city of Bremen is home to the team which makes the second stage of Europe's massive Ariane 5 rocket - which can carry up to 10 tonnes - or two satellites at once - into orbit."