Macron urges Europe to develop 'crewed spaceflight' programme / Photo: Ludovic MARIN - POOL/AFP/File
-
India seeks threefold increase in coal stocks to prevent summer power shortages
-
Real Madrid Visits AEK Athens in Champions League Liga Phase
-
Indian companies report mixed second-quarter results on November 4
-
Indus Towers expands solar-powered network to 50,000 telecom sites
-
KKR secures Indian regulator approval for Gentari Renewables investment
-
Equitas Small Finance Bank rebounds after naming interim chief executive
-
Bharti Airtel revenue expected to grow at double-digit pace in second quarter
-
Titan quarterly profit seen rising as jewellery business drives growth
-
Indian crude-sensitive shares gain after 13% oil-price decline
-
Kuwait finance minister holds economic cooperation talks at COMCEC
-
Stocks and dollar fall as Democratic election gains reshape markets
-
Abdul El-Sayed declares victory in Michigan Senate contest
-
Kuwait marks key events and anniversaries from national history
-
Democrats capture US Congress in sweeping midterm victory
-
Trump congratulates Democrats and signals willingness to cooperate
-
Manchester United rallies past Roma as PSG dominates in Champions League
-
Qatar prime minister advances mediation through diplomatic calls
-
Qatar sees tentative opening for renewed regional diplomacy
-
Greenland parliament approves security agreement with United States
-
Qatar Tourism joins Pacific Asia Travel Association at London travel market
-
Qatar envoy meets incoming UN General Assembly president
-
Abdul El-Sayed Wins Michigan Senate Seat in Historic Election
-
Trump Signals Willingness to Work With Democrats After Midterm Defeat
-
Qatar media bodies discuss support for humanitarian initiatives
-
Pitches and Keynote Speakers Are Confirmed for Blue Magic Netherlands on November 17
Macron urges Europe to develop 'crewed spaceflight' programme
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday called on Europe to develop its own crewed spaceflight capability within a decade as part of a broader push to strengthen the continent's space sector.
Macron made the call during an international space summit held in Paris this week, which was shown the cold shoulder by several US companies including SpaceX and Blue Origin.
"We want Europe to assert its ambition in crewed spaceflight," he said.
"Our European space programme remains fragile and we must step up our efforts."
The French president laid out a series of milestones he wants Europe to reach over the next decade.
"In two years' time, I want to see the first European cargo capsule, Nyx, dock with the International Space Station; in five years' time, the first European lunar lander, Argonaut, land on the Moon's surface," he said.
"And in 10 years' time, the first European manned capsule take off from Kourou with European astronauts and those from other nations on board," he added, referring to Europe's spaceport in French Guiana.
Europe has in recent years sought greater independence in space but has never sent a manned mission, instead relying on the rockets and capsules of Russia and the United States.
Last year, the European Space Agency secured a record budget of 22.1 billion euros to fund its programmes for the next three years.
A.Magalhes--PC