Two Launchers Exploitation Arrangements (LEA) have been signed at the European Space Agency (ESA) Headquarters in Paris, marking an important step in the continued operation of Ariane 6 and Vega-C.

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

The two signed arrangements—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 are set to enlarge even more in the future with more actors and more choice, offering robust and diverse launch capabilities for Europe.”

Giuilio 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.”