PARIS, FRANCE – In a surprise decision, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) has cancelled plans to use the Ariane rocket to launch its upcoming weather satellites.
Citing concerns over the rocket’s reliability and schedule delays, EUMETSAT has opted for an alternative launch vehicle to ensure the continuity of its weather forecasting services.
The move marks a significant setback for the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Ariane program, which has faced intense competition from other launch providers in recent years.
The decision highlights the critical importance of reliable access to space for Europe’s weather satellite operations and the need for flexible launch solutions to ensure the continuity of essential services like weather forecasting.
