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ckikilwai
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Interesting article on ESA: http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMBU69OY2F_index_0.html<br /><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>This week, ESA signed two key contracts with NGL Prime S.p.A. of Italy, one for the definition of launcher system concepts for the European Next Generation Launcher and the other for the development of a European Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV).<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br /><br />They say they are going to study the different options for Europe's future launchers of 2020, and on the all important ESA Ministerial Conference in 2008, they will decide which options are preferred.<br /><br />If this Ariane 6 is cheaper or heavier then the Ariane 5, it could make the multi rocket scenario to fly to the moon more viable.<br /><br />The IXV is a re-entry vehicle to be launched in 2010 aboard a Vega rocket, which can carry 1,5 metric tons.