European Space Agency
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The European Space Agency is a 23-member international organisation devoted to space exploration. It has its headquarters in Paris and a staff of around 3,000 people globally as of 2025. ESA was found
European Space Agency headquarters in Paris
Europa II rocket (larger horizontal rocket in the background), Skylark sounding rocket (front centre-left), and a model of the Ariane 4 orbital rocket (to the right from Skylark) at Euro Space Center
Pierre Auger (far left) visiting the European Space Research and Technology Centre ESTEC on 3 February 1967
Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) observing the Sun
The Science Programme of the European Space Agency is a long-term programme of space science and space exploration missions. Managed by the agency's Directorate of Science, The programme funds the dev
The selection of SOHO (pictured) and Cluster was challenged early in development due to financial concerns
The Gaia astrometry mission was launched as one of three missions in the Horizon 2000 Plus campaign.
The Euclid near-infrared observatory, launched as the second Cosmic Vision M-class mission.
Enceladus mission concept by ESA (Voyage 2050 L4)