Posted: Wed, Dec 7, 2005, 8:18 AM ET (1318 GMT)
Ministers representing ESA's 17 member states backed a wide range of plans for the space agency during a meeting this week in Berlin. The ministers approved several major new plans, including the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) satellite system and the ExoMars rover project, as well as continued funding for the International Space Station. Ministers, however, failed to approval a proposal for ESA to cooperate with Russia on preliminary designs of Russia's Kliper manned spacecraft, citing concerns that the agency would play on a small role in the project with little say in overall project management. Ministers also approved a new policy that requires member states to use European launchers for their spacecraft.

Related Links:

•  New Scientist article
•  Reuters article
•  BBC article
•  The Register article
•  ESA press release