The European Space Agency will see several major spacecraft launches this year,

ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain said.

Among major spacecraft being orbited are Herschel-Planck, GOCE, SMOS and CryoSat-2, he said.

ESA also will make final selection of astronauts, and two European astronauts will be joining the International Space Station: Frank De Winne, for a long-duration mission, and Christer Fuglesang.