But Arianespace is under severe threat from Elon Musk’s SpaceX, and news that Germany’s DLR Aerospace Centre – a heavyweight contributor to the European Space Agency/ESA – is looking at switching launch commitments from Arianespace to SpaceX has caused consternation. The future of France - based Arianespace looks uncertain after it emerges that Germany ’s DLR Aerospace Centre is considering switching its future launch commitments to Elon Musk 's SpaceX. CEO Stephane Israel has acknowledged the company could fold if it loses the contract , yet Arianespace 's ambition for 20 satellite launches in 2018 does n't come close to SpaceX 's stated goal of 18 - 20 annually . The German Aerospace Centre says it wants to continue supporting Arianespace , but costs must decrease and launch frequencies increase “ or else it will fail like Nokia ” .
The future of France - based Arianespace looks uncertain after it emerges that Germany ’s DLR Aerospace Centre is considering switching its future launch commitments to Elon Musk 's SpaceX. CEO Stephane Israel has acknowledged the company could fold if it loses the contract , yet Arianespace 's ambition for 20 satellite launches in 2018 does n't come close to SpaceX 's stated goal of 18 - 20 annually . The German Aerospace Centre says it wants to continue supporting Arianespace , but costs must decrease and launch frequencies increase “ or else it will fail like Nokia ” .