Prague, June 25 (CTK) – The Czech Republic is likely to join the prestigious programme of European civilian expendable launch vehicles Ariane and Vega, operated by the European Space Agency (ESA), Transport Ministry spokesman Tomas Nerold has told CTK.
Czech companies and research institutes are to take part in the development, tests and subsequent manufacturing of components for Ariane 6, Nerold said.
Finance Minister Andrej Babis (ANO) has promised financial support.
He told CTK that he wanted to support the Czech Republic’s focus on the aviation and space industry.
“The Czech Republic is to join the programme of launch vehicles after this is approved by ESA member countries that already take part in it. This will be at the ESA Programme Council for launch vehicles,” Nerold said.
Due to the state participation in space programmes, Babis (ANO) has turned to Transport Minister Dan Tok (ANO) that administers the agenda of space projects, Jakub Vintrlik, from the Finance Ministry press department, has told CTK.
“We need the development of sophisticated industries with a high value added for the modernisation of the Czech economy in the decades to come,” Babis said.
The financing of voluntary space programmes of the ESA works in the following way: commissions for Czech companies are put up from the Czech Republic’s contributions, thanks to which the money returns to the Czech economy, Babis said.
ESA operates a series of Ariane launch vehicles.
At present, the Ariane 5 is being used, while the sixth vehicle is being prepared.
The vehicle is primarily used for the launch of telecommunication satellites and the ATV spacecraft.
General director of the National Center for Research, development and testing in aerospace Josef Kaspar told CTK the Czech Republic’s joining the programme meant collaboration with the biggest European consortium Airbus Safran Launchers that manufactured the launchers.
“Not only our institute, but a number of companies from the Czech Republic will take part to the development, tests and subsequent series production of components for Ariane 6,” Kaspar said.
This year, the Czech Republic contributed to space activities with almost half a billion crowns.
It also take part in the programmes Galileo and Copernicus as well as activities within the framework of Horizon 2020.
“It can be said that the Czech Republic sponsors the programmes according to its contribution to the EU budget, which is roughly 1.2 percent,” Nerold said, adding that the state contributions were increasing each year.
