BRUSSELS At its ministerial summit last week, the European Space Agency approved a range of programs intended to reinforce Europe’s lead role in commercial launchers and position its industry to compete in new areas like satellite navigation.

PARIS new U.S. Air Force/Lockheed Martin GPS Block IIR spacecraft was damaged, possibly significantly, when an incident on Launch Complex 17A at Cape Canaveral allowed rainwater to pour onto the $40-million spacecraft. The May 8 mishap adds to the string of problems befalling the U.S.

In the coming decade, the aircraft maintenance industry will see changes in customer expectations, maintenance regulations and the relationships between civil and military maintenance organizations. Inflation-adjusted maintenance costs on a per-aircraft basis have declined nearly 10% since 1992, which many airlines believe leaves them few opportunities for further cost reductions.