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Reaction of Mr. Jacques CHIRAC, President of the Republic, following the successful launch of the European Galileo navigation system's first satellite.
COMMUNIQUE
ISSUED BY THE PRESIDENCY OF THE REPUBLIC
(Paris, 28 December 2005)
President Chirac expresses his very great satisfaction following the launch of the European Galileo navigation system's first satellite.
This system, when operational in 2010, will provide essential services for our fellow citizens and our companies.
This new success in the European space sector comes in the wake of last week's successful fifth Ariane launch this year from French Guiana's Kourou Space Centre.
President Chirac congratulates the European Space Agency's Director General, M. Jean-Jacques Dordain, and asks him kindly to convey his heartfelt gratitude to his teams.
The European Space Agency celebrated its 30th anniversary with an extremely productive 2005.
In addition to the successful satellite launches, one recalls the success of the Huygens Titan mission and subsurface observations on Mars carried out by Mars Express. Space is an essential component of the great European project.
The Head of State wishes the European space community every success for 2006./.
