THE EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY (ESA)

Since the first treaties, which attempted to define international cooperation and use of space, global applications of the agreement have provided valuable contributions towards space exploration.

The European Space Agency (ESA) began work in 1975. It was founded two years earlier at a meeting of ministers from ten European countries.

At present, the ESA has 15 member states in Europe, plus Canada as a cooperating state. During its first 25 years, the ESA raised Europe’s status from a minor to a major player, with a high degree of self-sufficiency in most aspects of space technology and a capacity for world-class innovations.

ESA assembly meeting and ESA members map
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Florida Space Research Institute ©2002