French Guiana Space Center Cuts 400 Jobs
Posted on: Tuesday, 11 March 2003, 06:00 CST
CAYENNE, French Guiana (AP) -- The French space center here is cutting about 400 jobs, one-fourth of its workforce, as it faces a decreased demand for commercial satellite launches, a top official said Monday.
The job cuts will begin this year, Yannick D'Escatha, who heads France's National Center of Space Studies, said during a visit to the French department in northern South America.
Last year, 12 European Ariane rockets were launched from the French Guiana base carrying satellites. This year, only six launches are scheduled.
The European space program has faced additional troubles since an Ariane-5 rocket veered off course after liftoff Dec. 11, forcing ground control to destroy it.
The space program is the predominant economic force in French Guiana, currently employing about 1,600 people and generating spin-off jobs for thousands of others.
Most of those whose jobs are eliminated will return to other positions in mainland France, D'Escatha said. Some also will be eligible for buyouts, he said.
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