Knowra European Space Agency European Space Agency The European Space Agency (ESA) is an intergovernmental organization that coordinates European space programs and develops and operates missions in science, Earth observation, navigation, and human spaceflight.
Ariane 6 : A European expendable launch vehicle developed to carry payloads to orbit. ESA developed Ariane 6 with European industry to provide independent access to space.
European Space Research Organisation : A European intergovernmental organization established in 1964 to conduct cooperative space research. ESRO was one of the two organizations whose merger created ESA.
ESA Council : ESA’s governing body, composed of representatives from its member states. The Council sets policy, approves programs, and oversees the agency’s budget.
Pierre Auger : A French physicist who promoted European cooperation in space research after the Second World War. Auger helped drive the creation of ESRO, ESA’s research predecessor.
European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications : An ESA centre in Harwell, United Kingdom, supporting space applications, business, and telecommunications. ECSAT links ESA’s technical programs with commercial and public-sector uses.
Galileo navigation system : The European Union’s global satellite navigation system, providing positioning, navigation, and timing services. ESA designs and deploys Galileo’s satellites and infrastructure for the European Union.
European Launcher Development Organisation : A European intergovernmental organization established in 1962 to develop space launch vehicles. ELDO’s launch-vehicle work formed the other institutional predecessor to ESA.
ESA member states : The countries that participate in ESA under its founding convention and later agreements. Member states fund and govern ESA’s activities through agreed contributions and decisions.
Roy Gibson : A British space administrator who became ESA’s first Director General in 1975. Gibson led the new agency during its first years of operation.
European Space Operations Centre : ESA’s control centre in Darmstadt, Germany, which operates spacecraft and manages missions. ESOC’s ground systems give Europe the capacity to control spacecraft across the Solar System.
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