Posted: Thu, Dec 31, 2020, 1:35 PM ET (1835 GMT)
ESA's next director general says he will prioritize the agency's relationship with the EU and supporting commercial space development. At a news conference Dec. 17, Josef Aschbacher, selected by ESA to take over as director general in mid-2021, said shortly after taking office he will release a plan that outlines his vision and priorities. That will include working to improve ESA's relationship with the EU and its space efforts, as well as promoting the growth of the European space industry. The ESA Council, at the same meeting where member states selected Aschbacher, also approved additional funding for the Ariane 6 program to cover its latest launch delay, and agreed to hold a new astronaut selection round in 2021.

Related Links:

•  SpaceNews article
•  AP article
•  BBC article
•  SpacePolicyOnline.com article
•  ESA press release