→ WHO WE ARE
The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s
gateway to space.
As an intergovernmental
organisation set up in 1975, our purpose was
defined several decades ago by an international
Convention.
ESA facts and figures
• Over 30 years’...
More
→ WHO WE ARE
The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s
gateway to space.
As an intergovernmental
organisation set up in 1975, our purpose was
defined several decades ago by an international
Convention.
ESA facts and figures
• Over 30 years’ experience
• 18 Member States
• Five establishments, about 2200 staff
• €3.
7 billion budget (2010), of which more than 80% is
targeted for spending on contracts with European industry
• Over 60 satellites designed, tested and operated in orbit
• 17 scientific satellites in operation
• Five types of launcher developed
• Over 190 launches so far
ESA is one of the few space agencies in the world to have
responsibility in nearly all areas of space activities for peaceful
purposes.
In 2009, ESA spent almost 16% of its budget on Earth
observation activities.
This was the second-highest
programme expenditure.
• Space science • Navigation
• Human spaceflight • Telecommunications
• Exploration • Technology
• Earth obser
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