French and then European Space policy

The first steps towards French Space capability were motivated by a strong national ambition, under the impetus of General De Gaulle. During his official trip to Guiana on March 21, 1964 De Gaulle declared :

'Together, you here in Guiana and we in France, have to achieve a major French project in Guiana which will become known throughout the world. Let everyone take heed. The task has begun and we shall continue.'

In November 1965, the first Diamant A launcher lifted off from the 'Brigitte' launch complex at the Hammaguir site, in the Sahara and placed a technological capsule, Asterix, in orbit. Asterix was the first French satellite, made by Engins-Matra on behalf of SEREB. With this launch France became the third world Space power.

Ariane, a European ambition

In 1973, ten European countries decided to create the European Space Agency (ESA) and to develop a satellite called Ariane. The inaugural flight of the Ariane 1 launcher on 24 December 1979, gave Europe its own access to Space and enabled it to stake out a significant position in the world Space market by undertaking more than half of the commercial launches in the world.

ESA today has 17 members:

• Austria,
• Belgium,
• Denmark,
• Finland,
• France,
• Germany,
• Ireland,
• Italy,
• The Netherlands,
• Norway,
• Portugal,
• Spain,
• Sweden,
• Switzerland,
• The United Kingdom,
• Greece,
• Luxemburg.

Other countries participate in some ESA projects through joint cooperation agreements.

Today Space transport has become a global commercial challenge but there are only four or five Space powers in the satellite launcher market :

• Europe, with the Ariane launcher, the leader for civilian contracts
• The United States, with the Delta, Titan and Atlas launchers
• Russia and the Ukraine, with the Proton, Zenith and Soyuz launchers
• China with the Long March launcher
• Japan with the H2.