French space agency assesses EU micro-launchers and spaceports, Ariane 6’s status & ESA’s geo-return rule

PARIS — The French space agency, CNES, addressed the multiplication of European spaceports and micro-launcher developments, the inaugural flight of the Ariane 6 heavy-lift rocket and what France hopes will be a major modification of the European Space Agency’s geographic-return rule.

In a Jan. 17 briefing here, CNES President Philippe Baptiste and Deputy CEO Lionel Suchet also clarified France’s position on the European Union’s proposed broadband satellite constellation, in which France is investing.

Here are takeaways

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