European Launch Industry on the Brink: Ariane 6 Cost and Delays Cause Concern

European space officials are meeting in Seville, Spain to discuss the future of space policy, including the troubled Ariane 6 rocket program. The retirement of the Ariane 5 and delays in the Ariane 6's development have left Europe reliant on SpaceX for satellite launches. The cost of the Ariane 6 program has also increased, with the primary contractor, ArianeGroup, requesting a significant subsidy. This crisis may lead to a breakup of the long-standing partnership between France, Germany, and Italy in developing launch capabilities.