The European Space Agency
Since 1975 the European Space Agency, ESA, has been pooling the resources of its Member States and leading cooperation with other nations to build a European space capability, undertaking programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country.
ESA develops the space infrastructure needed to keep Europe at the forefront of global activities and plays a critical role in building a strong and competitive local industry.
ESA develops launchers, ground facilities and the technology to send satellites into space for Earth observation, navigation, telecommunications, and astronomy, sending probes to the far reaches of the Solar System, as well as cooperating in the human exploration of space and creating practical applications for space on Earth.
ESA has 22 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Latvia and Slovenia are Associate Members. Canada takes part in certain programmes under a cooperation agreement.
ESA has signed European Cooperating States Agreements with Bulgaria, Cyprus, Lithuania and Slovakia, and cooperation agreements with Croatia and Malta.
A mosaic of Europe made up of ESA satellite images
