Posted: Thu, Apr 1, 2004, 9:22 PM ET (0222 GMT)
The European Space Agency has undertaken a major internal reorganization, including disbanding offices and changing the leadership of other divisions, Space News reported Thursday. Under the reorganization, which took effect April 1, the heads of ESA's manned spaceflight and earth observation directorates, Jorg E. Feustel-Buechl and Jose Achache, will be replaced by later this year. In addition, ESA is disbanding three other offices, for applications programs, industrial matters, and strategy. Two new directorates, one for resource management and the other for European Union and industrial programs, have been created. The science and launch vehicle offices were not changed during this reorganization. ESA Director-General Jean-Jacques Dordain told Space News that he made the changes to reorient the agency towards its "customer base", including the European Union, and to ensure stability through his tenure in office.

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