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Paris, 18 October 2006

It is with great regret that we announce the death of Michel Bignier, which occurred on 12 October.

A leading figure in the space world, and a former Director General of CNES from 1972 to 1976, he was Director of ESA's Spacelab programme from 1976 to 1980, and then Director of Space Transport Systems at ESA until 1986..

"He has been one of the main players in the long struggle to adopt a balanced European Space Programme" says ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain, echoing the deep regret of all those at ESA who had the opportunity to know Bignier and appreciate his work and his commitment to a true European space policy.