The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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Opened for signature on 29 March 1962, the ELDO Convention entered into force two years later, on 29 February 1964. Its Council met for the first time on 5 May 1964. The initial ELDO programme involved the construction of a three-stage rocket plus a satellite test vehicle. Work on each component was distributed between the four major Western European states: the UK would provide the first stage, called Blue Streak; France and Germany would provide the second and third stages, respectively, and Italy would provide a test satellite.