Why does the ESA keep sponging off of others?
We hear all of this talk of the EU as the next economic superpower, the Euro is at very high values, they are extremely advanced technologically, and yet they refuse to do anything on their own. They either want to catch a ride with the US on the shuttle and the CEV, or they want to use Russia. It would be so easy for Europe to develop their own manned launch system yet they seem almost scared of trying. If China has a manned launch system, then it's time for Europe to have one too.