It's crucial to restore Europe's access to space after the failed launch of a European rocket with two surveillance satellites last year and the delayed launch of the Ariane 6 launch vehicle.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Josef Aschbacher, director general of the European Space Agency, said his priority is to restore access to space, guaranteed access to space for Europe.

He noted that ESA is working to identify the causes of the failed Vega-C rocket launch in French Guiana, and the results of the investigation are expected in less than a month.

The Vega-C launch was supposed to orbit two Earth observation satellites made by Airbus, Pleiades Neo 5 and 6.

Until proper access to space is restored, Aschbacher said, Europe needs to look outside the continent for alternatives.