• tormeh
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    10 months ago

    Not until a European company produces reusable rockets. This has generally been opposed at Arianespace because it reduces the amount of work available in the host countries

    • Sigmatics@lemmy.ca
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      10 months ago

      This has generally been opposed at Arianespace because it reduces the amount of work available in the host countries

      That is literally the most foolish statement I have ever read. This attitude will literally make them go bankrupt. The only reason Arianespace still exists is because it’s massively subsidized by the EU, it’s basically a jobs program. What they’re doing is nowhere near competitive with reusable rockets

      • tormeh
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        10 months ago

        True, and everyone knows Arianespace needs a reusable rocket now, but they never could start development until existentially threatened, so they start from scratch now

      • luckystarr@feddit.de
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        10 months ago

        It’s not a race. It’s a jobs program which provides thought essential services to the governments. Just that nowadays, what is considered essential has been expanded.

        • tormeh
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          10 months ago

          Arianespace had lots of international customers, not just domestic government. Presumably that’s all gone to SpaceX now, but that’s a new development. Arianespace used to be competitive.

          • luckystarr@feddit.de
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            10 months ago

            What I wanted to say is, even if they were to never again be competitive, they won’t get dropped by the governments. They are a strategic resource of the European Union.