The European Space Agency (ESA) on Feb. 24 signed the biggest satellite-construction contract in its history, a $1.8-billion, six-satellite deal with Thales Alenia Space to provide meteorological services from geostationary orbit for 20 years starting in 2018. In addition to being its biggest-ever satellite commitment, the Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) contract was one of the most contentious in the history of the 19-nation ESA. Read More
