[1/2] A model of Europe's next-generation space rocket Ariane 6 is pictured at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Lampoldshausen near Heilbronn, Germany, February 26, 2019.
France, where manufacturer ArianeGroup is based, wants extra funding to help absorb cost overruns, industry sources said.
Sources said last week there had been some progress in unblocking a three-way standoff between Europe's leading launch nations but that ministers still faced sensitive budget talks.
Speaking ahead of the Seville meeting, ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher declined to comment on the talks but urged Europe not to repeat past mistakes in the technology sector.
Europe has carved out a leading role in climate observation, navigation and space science but has not targeted a prime role in human exploration, opting instead for a junior role in projects led by U.S. space agency NASA or until recently Russia.
Persons:
Ralph Orlowski, Josef Aschbacher, Aschbacher, we're, Tim Hepher, Robert Birsel
Organizations:
German Aerospace Center, REUTERS, European Space Agency, ESA, European Union, SpaceX, Ministers, Ariane, Tribune, NASA, U.S . Space Shuttle, Thomson
Locations:
Lampoldshausen, Heilbronn, Germany, Europe, Spain, Seville, Elon Musk's U.S, Ukraine, France, Italy, United States, Japan, China, U.S, Russia