RegulationESA
European Space Agency
The intergovernmental organization responsible for European space research, development, and exploration activities.
ESA is Europe's gateway to space, coordinating financial and intellectual resources of its 22 member states to pursue programs beyond the scope of individual countries.
Key Programs
- Launcher development (Ariane, Vega)
- Earth observation (Copernicus contribution)
- Human spaceflight (ISS participation)
- Science missions
- Navigation (Galileo development)
Relationship with EU
- ESA is separate from the EU
- Many EU states are ESA members
- Cooperation through framework agreements
- EUSPA handles EU operational programs