Good deal for European space

European Space Agency (Esa) member states have resolved key issues at their ministerial council and agreed a 10.1bn-euro programme of activities.

The big decisions included a go-ahead for an upgrade on Europe's Ariane 5 rocket in parallel with design work on a replacement for the early 2020s.

Esa director general Jean-Jacques Dordain expressed himself pleased with the outcome of the Naples meeting.