ESA SIGNS EXPLOITATION ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARIANE 6 AND VEGA C

• Representatives from the European Space Agency (ESA) signed the arrangement for the exploitation of Ariane 6 with ArianeGroup, and Arianespace, and the arrangement with Avio for the exploitation of Vega-C.

• The operation of Ariane 6 and Vega C will ensure Europe’s autonomous access to space from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.

Colleferro (Rome), 14 November 2025 – Two Launchers Exploitation Arrangements were signed today at ESA Headquarters in Paris, marking an important step in the continued operation of Ariane 6 and Vega-C. Present were European Space Agency Director General Josef Aschbacher, Giulio Ranzo, Chief Executive Officer of Avio, David Cavaillolès, Chief Executive Officer of Arianespace and Martin Sion, Chief Executive Officer of ArianeGroup. 

Following decisions taken by the ESA Council in 2023, the revision of the Launchers Exploitation Declaration (LED) was finalized on 10 July 2025 and the Guiana Space Centre Agreement was signed on 23 October 2025. The LEAs signed today translate the LED mandate to ESA into concrete detailed implementation arrangements between ESA and the launch operators. 

The two arrangements signed today – one with Arianespace and ArianeGroup for Ariane 6, and one with Avio for Vega-C – define the roles and responsibilities of each operator and ESA's role in monitoring its implementation. They also establish the framework for cooperation between the parties to ensure Europe’s continued autonomous access to space through the exploitation of ESA-developed launchers from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.

Josef Aschbacher said: “We now have two launch service operators at Europe’s Spaceport, each responsible for their launcher. This is just the start as the European launch services on offer is set to enlarge even more in the future with more actors and more choice, offering robust and diverse launch capabilities for Europe.”

Giulio Ranzo said: “Avio is excited to assume the additional responsibilities for selling and operating the Vega launch service after almost 14 years since its inaugural flight in 2012 during which Avio acted as Vega’s Technical Authority and Industrial Prime Contractor. We thank ESA for their extensive technical support and Arianespace for having established Vega as a successful launcher on the market.”

David Cavaillolès said: “Today reaffirms Arianespace’s role in ensuring Europe’s autonomous access to space. Ariane 6 is the right heavy-lift solution for Europe, enabling us to deliver tailored launch services to our European customers and beyond. After the first successful 3 commercial launches, we are now ramping up the Ariane 6 cadence at high speed to generate even more launch opportunities for our customers.”

ArianeGroup Chief Executive Officer Martin Sion said “Europe’s heavy-launcher Ariane 6 is back and strong with 4 launch successes in 16 months. The Launcher Exploitation Arrangement is an important milestone to continue Europe’s autonomous access to space with Ariane 6. ArianeGroup is ramping up the production of Ariane 6 to enable Arianespace to answer its institutional and private customers’ needs.”