"We mean business".

ARTIFICIAL satellite launching; ARIANE rockets; ARIANE launch vehicles; UNITED States. National Aeronautics & Space Administration; EUROPEAN Space Agency; INTERNATIONAL cooperation in artificial satellite launching; ASTRONAUTICS & state; ECONOMICS

The article discusses competition in satellite launching between the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and European intergovernmental organization the European Space Agency as of January 1983. Particular attention is given to the European space rocket Ariane and its competitiveness against spacecraft developed by NASA. The attitude of developing countries to the U.S. space policies is also discussed.