European Space Agency / organization
sourcing5 factsinstitutionFranceactive
The European Space Agency is committed to peacefully exploring and using space to benefit everyone. It was established in 1975 as an intergovernmental organisation, with headquarters in Paris, where policies and programmes are decided. The agency employs approximately 3,000 staff and operates with a 2025 budget of 7.68 billion euros.
faq
What is European Space Agency?
European Space Agency focuses on A 23-member international organisation devoted to space exploration. (source, as of 2026-07-05)
Where is European Space Agency based?
European Space Agency is based in France. (source, as of 2026-07-05)
When was European Space Agency founded?
European Space Agency was founded in 1975. (source, as of 2026-07-05)
facts
countryFrance
founded1975
focusA 23-member international organisation devoted to space exploration
statusactive
websiteesa.int
events
- notable2026-09-03BepiColombo separates from transfer module, begins Mercury arrival phase
- major2026-08-27ESA signs first European Launcher Challenge contracts worth €543.6 million
- notable2026-08-25ESA's Draco reentry mission clears critical design review
- notable2026-08-20ESA confirms it has shelved the Ariane 6 Block 3 upgrade
- notable2026-08-10ESA says Europe faces a launcher shortage around 2030
- notable2026-07-29Aalyria wins ESA contract to build deep-space network hub
- notable2026-07-27ESA opens tender to repurpose Gateway's Lunar Link comms module
- notable2026-07-24ispace-Europe wins ESA's 65 million euro MAGPIE lunar rover contract
- noise2026-07-16ESA books Ariane 6 to launch Henon deep-space CubeSat
- notable2026-07-13ESA reports record 12% growth in European space budgets
- notable2026-07-08Intesa Sanpaolo, EIB and ESA launch EUR 300 million aerospace SME lending facility
- notable2026-07-02Airbus wins ESA contract to build Aeolus-2 wind-sensing satellite
- notable2026-07-02ESA contracts EMXYS to build asteroid-landing CubeSat for Ramses mission
- notable2026-06-17Ariane 6 debuts P160C boosters on VA269, lofting 36 Amazon Leo satellites in a record
- notable2026-06-10ESA and European Commission sign in-space servicing pact; Thales Alenia wins EROSS SC
- major2026-06-10ESA awards Thales Alenia Space €700 million contract for Sentinel-1 NG
- notable2026-06-09NASA names Artemis III crew with ESA's Parmitano as pilot for 2027 Earth-orbit HLS test
timeline
- 20242024-07-09Ariane 6 makes inaugural flight from French Guiana (source, as of 2026-07-05)
- 20232023-11ESA Council announces European Launcher Challenge in Seville (source, as of 2026-07-05)
- 20122012-02-13ESA's Vega launcher completes successful maiden flight from Kourou (source, as of 2026-07-05)
- 19961996-06-04ESA's Ariane 5 rocket is destroyed on its maiden flight (source, as of 2026-07-05)
- 19751975-05-30ESA Convention signed, merging ESRO and ELDO into the European Space Agency (source, as of 2026-07-05)