The decision of the German government to launch its satellites using a Falcon 9 launch vehicle manufactured by the US company SpaceX raises questions about Germany's European solidarity, French MEP Andre Rouget said. Lenta.ru got acquainted with the corresponding appeal of the deputy to the European Commission (EC).

So, the deputy recalled that France has an Ariane 5 launch vehicle, which is capable of performing the same functions as the American Falcon 9. He explained that Ariane 5 "is an excellent example of what cooperation between European states can achieve."

“Although the Ariane 5 launch vehicle is the pride of France, it is also the fruit of cooperation between European allies. This innovative project provides a certain degree of sovereignty in matters of space exploration. However, Germany chooses to launch its satellites from the American Falcon 9 launch vehicle manufactured by SpaceX, although the Ariane 5, based at the Guiana Space Center (CSG), is capable of performing the same operations, ”the parliamentarian said in a statement.

Ruget also recalled that as a result of sanctions due to the conflict in Ukraine, the Guiana Space Center was forced to leave all Russian specialists, which, according to the parliamentarian, endangers 300 jobs.

This casts doubt on Germany's decision to opt for a non-EU foreign power and its (Germany - approx. "Lenta.ru") role in supporting and promoting European projects.

André Rouge MEP for France

In connection with the above facts, the deputy addresses the European Commission with a number of questions regarding its intention to intervene in this situation.

“What can the Commission do to promote CSG as the main hub for EU space projects? Will it explain to Germany that it is vital to support European space projects in order to shift the focus in this area from Falcon 9 to Ariane 5? Rouge asks EC.

Earlier it became known about the problems of SpaceX with Starlink V2 satellites. As CEO Elon Musk tweeted, some of the latest Starlink V2 satellites from the first batch launched on February 27 require low-Earth orbit information.

“Starlink V2 has a lot of new technologies, so as expected, we had some issues. Some satellites will be deorbited, others will be thoroughly tested,” the entrepreneur said.