Comet-chaser hailed as ‘new step’

BRUSSELS – The European Commission yesterday hailed the launch of a US$1,25 billion-dollar European comet-chasing spacecraft as a new step in Europe’s development towards becoming a global space player.

“The launch of Rosetta…shows what Europe is capable of in space,” said EU research commissioner Philippe Busquin, after the Rosetta probe lifted off from the European Space Agency’s launch base in Kourou, French Guiana. “This has never been undertaken before.Science and exploratory missions are of great importance to maintaining Europe’s leading role in space.Alongside the upcoming integration of the Russian ‘Soyuz’ rockets in Kourou, we take another step towards becoming a globally responsible space power,” he added.- Nampa-AFP”This has never been undertaken before.Science and exploratory missions are of great importance to maintaining Europe’s leading role in space.Alongside the upcoming integration of the Russian ‘Soyuz’ rockets in Kourou, we take another step towards becoming a globally responsible space power,” he added.- Nampa-AFP

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