Foundation
After World War II, many European scientists left Western Europe in order to work with the United States. Although the 1950s boom made it possible for Western European countries … See more

ESA describes its work in two overlapping ways:
• For the general public, the various fields of work are described as "Activities".
• Budgets … See more

Membership and contribution to ESA
By 2015, ESA was an intergovernmental organisation of 22 member states. Member states participate to varying degrees in the mandatory (25% of total expenditures in 2008) and optional space programmes (75% … See more

Formation and development
At the time ESA was formed, its main goals did not encompass human space flight; rather it … See more

The treaty establishing the European Space Agency reads:
The purpose of the Agency shall be to provide for and to promote, for exclusively peaceful purposes, cooperation among European States in space research and technology and … See more

As of 2023, ESA employs around 2200 people, and thousands of contractors. Initially, new employees are contracted for a expandable four-year term, which is until the organization's … See more

The ESA currently has only one operational launch vehicle, Vega, and another, Ariane 6 preparing for launch in 2024. Rocket … See more