AGENCE SPATIALE EUROPÉENNE (ESA : EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY)

The European Space Agency (ESA) is an intergovernmental organisation created in 1975 for the development of Europe's space capabilities. By pooling the resources of its 22 Member States, ESA can undertake programmes and activities whose scope goes far beyond what each European country could do alone.

ESA develops the launchers, space vehicles and ground facilities that Europe needs to remain at the forefront of global space activities. It orbits Earth observation, navigation, telecommunications and astronomy satellites; designs and sends probes to the outer limits of the Solar System; and cooperates in human exploration of space.