European Space Agency facts for kids
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Czech: Evropská kosmická agentura
Danish: Den Europæiske Rumorganisation German: Europäische Weltraumorganisation Estonian: Euroopa Kosmoseagentuur French: Agence spatiale européenne Finnish: Euroopan avaruusjärjestö Greek: Ευρωπαϊκός Οργανισμός Διαστήματος Hungarian: Európai Űrügynökség Irish: Gníomhaireacht Spáis na hEorpa Italian: Agenzia Spaziale Europea Luxembourgish: Europäesch Weltraumorganisatioun Dutch: Europese Ruimtevaartorganisatie Norwegian: Den europeiske romfartsorganisasjon Polish: Europejska Agencja Kosmiczna Portuguese: Agência Espacial Europeia Romanian: Agenția Spațială Europeană Romansh: Agenzia spaziala europeica Spanish: Agencia Espacial Europea Swedish: Europeiska rymdorganisationen |
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Main control room of the European Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt, Germany
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| Agency overview | |
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| Abbreviation |
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| Formed | 30 May 1975 |
| Type | Space agency |
| Headquarters | Paris, France 48°50′54″N 02°18′15″E / 48.84833°N 2.30417°E |
| Official language | English, French and German (working languages) |
| Administrator | Josef Aschbacher (Director General of the European Space Agency) |
| Primary spaceport | Guiana Space Centre |
| Owners | |
| Employees | 2,200 (2021) |
| Annual budget |  €7.8 billion (2024) |
The European Space Agency (ESA) is a group of 22 countries working together to explore space. It's like a big team for space travel! ESA was started in 1975 and has its main office in Paris, France. Around 2,200 people work for ESA all over the world. In 2024, its yearly budget was about €7.8 billion.
ESA's space missions include sending people into space, especially to the International Space Station. They also send robotic spacecraft to other planets like Mars and the Moon. ESA helps us understand Earth better by observing it from space. They also work on telecommunication and design powerful rockets. Their main launch site is the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana. ESA also works with NASA to build parts for the Orion spacecraft, which is used for deep space missions.
Contents
- History of ESA: Exploring Space Together
- ESA's Mission: Why We Explore Space
- ESA's Activities and Programmes
- ESA Members and Funding
- ESA's Rockets: Launching into Space
- Human Space Flight: Sending Astronauts to Space
- Working with Other Countries and Organizations
- ESA and the European Union
- Images for kids
History of ESA: Exploring Space Together
How ESA Began
After World War II, many European scientists went to work in the United States. Even though Europe was getting richer in the 1950s, scientists realized that single countries couldn't compete with big space powers like the US and the Soviet Union. So, in 1958, two important scientists, Edoardo Amaldi from Italy and Pierre Auger from France, decided to create a shared European space agency.
At first, there were two separate groups: ELDO for building rockets and ESRO for space research. ESRO started in 1964 and launched seven research satellites. But ELDO had trouble building a working rocket. Both groups faced problems with not enough money and different ideas from the countries involved.
In 1975, ESRO and ELDO joined together to form the ESA we know today. Ten countries were the first members: Belgium, Denmark, France, West Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. ESA launched its first big science mission, Cos-B, in 1975. This spacecraft studied gamma rays in the universe.
ESA's Later Space Adventures
ESA worked with NASA on the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE), the first high-orbit telescope, launched in 1978. It worked for 18 years! Many successful Earth-orbit projects followed. In 1986, ESA started its first deep-space mission, Giotto, to study Halley's Comet.
In the 1990s, ESA worked with NASA on missions like SOHO, Ulysses, and the famous Hubble Space Telescope. Later, they also helped build the Huygens module for the Cassini–Huygens probe, which landed on Titan, a moon of Saturn.
ESA also builds rockets to launch satellites and spacecraft. The Ariane 1 rocket was launched in 1979. Later, the Ariane 4 rocket became very successful, making ESA a leader in launching commercial satellites in the 1990s. The Ariane 5 rocket has also been very successful, with many launches. The newest rocket, Ariane 6, is being developed and is expected to launch in 2024.
In the 2000s, ESA became a major player in space research, working with agencies like NASA, JAXA, and Roscosmos (Russia's space agency). ESA has its own important programs like SMART-1, which tested new ways to power spacecraft, and the Mars Express and Venus Express missions to study those planets. ESA also plays a big role in the ISS.
In 2019, ESA started looking into mining the Moon for a material called regolith. In 2021, ESA set new goals, including using space for a "green future" and protecting space assets. They also started looking for new astronauts. In 2023, the Euclid spacecraft was launched to help us understand dark energy and dark matter in the universe.
Where ESA Works: Important Facilities
ESA's facilities are spread out across different countries. Here are some of the most important ones:
- The main ESA office is in Paris, France.
- ESA's science missions are planned at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands.
- Earth observation missions are handled at the ESA Centre for Earth Observation in Frascati, Italy.
- ESA's Mission Control, called ESOC, is in Darmstadt, Germany.
- The European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne, Germany, trains astronauts.
- The European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications (ECSAT) in England does research.
- The European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC) in Madrid, Spain, focuses on space astronomy.
- The European Space Security and Education Centre (ESEC) is in Redu, Belgium.
- The ESTRACK network is a group of tracking stations around the world that talk to ESA spacecraft.
Many other facilities are run by national space agencies but work closely with ESA.
ESA's Mission: Why We Explore Space
The main goal of ESA is to encourage countries in Europe to work together on space research and technology for peaceful purposes. This helps with scientific discoveries and practical uses of space.
ESA helps set a common plan for space activities in Europe. It suggests space goals to member countries and tries to combine national space programs into one big European program.
Jean-Jacques Dordain, a former head of ESA, explained in 2003 that space activities help people on Earth. He said space can improve our lives, make us safer, and create economic opportunities. He also believed space exploration helps us learn more and inspires young people to get interested in science and technology.
ESA's Activities and Programmes
ESA organizes its work in two ways: "Activities" for the public and "Programmes" for how budgets are managed. Some programs are mandatory for all member countries, while others are optional.
Main Activities of ESA
ESA's work covers many exciting areas:
- Observing the Earth: Using satellites to study our planet's climate, environment, and resources.
- Human and Robotic Exploration: Sending astronauts and robots to explore space.
- Launchers: Developing and operating rockets to send things into space.
- Navigation: Creating satellite navigation systems like Galileo.
- Space Science: Doing scientific research about the universe.
- Space Engineering & Technology: Developing new technologies for space missions.
- Operations: Managing and controlling spacecraft once they are in space.
- Telecommunications & Integrated Applications: Using satellites for communication and other services.
- Preparing for the Future: Planning for new and advanced space missions.
- Space for Climate: Using space data to help fight climate change.
ESA Programmes
ESA has many programs, including:
- Copernicus Programme (Earth observation)
- Cosmic Vision (space science missions)
- ExoMars (Mars exploration)
- Galileo (satellite navigation)
- Living Planet Programme (Earth observation)
- Terrae Novae Programme (human and robotic exploration)
Mandatory Programmes
Every country that is a full member of ESA must help pay for these programs:
- The European Space Agency Science Programme is a long-term plan for science missions in space.
- Other mandatory programs focus on developing new technologies and conducting general studies.
Optional Programmes
Countries can choose to join these programs based on their interests. These include programs for:
- Launchers (rockets)
- Earth Observation
- Human Spaceflight and Exploration
- Telecommunications
- Navigation
- Space Situational Awareness (keeping track of objects in space)
- Technology development
ESA Members and Funding
Who Belongs to ESA?
ESA is an international organization with 22 member states. These countries contribute different amounts of money to ESA's programs. Some programs are mandatory, meaning all members contribute, while others are optional, and countries choose to participate.
The two official languages used within ESA are English and French. German is also used for official documents.
In 2022, France and Germany were the biggest contributors to ESA's budget. Other countries like Italy, the UK, and Spain also contributed significantly.
Countries Working with ESA (Not Full Members)
Besides the full member states, ESA also has "associate members" and "cooperating states." These countries work closely with ESA but are not yet full members. As of late 2023, Slovenia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, and Canada are associate members.
- Slovenia has been an associate member since 2016 and applied to become a full member in 2023.
- Latvia became an associate member in 2020.
- Lithuania joined as an associate member in 2021.
- Slovakia became an associate member in 2022.
- Canada has had a special "Cooperating State" status with ESA since 1979. This means Canadian companies can work on ESA projects, and Canada helps fund some programs.
How ESA Gets Its Money
ESA gets its money from yearly contributions from its member states and also from the European Union (EU). Every few years, ESA member states meet to decide on a budget plan for the next several years.
Many countries also have their own national space agencies, like CNES in France or the DLR in Germany. These national agencies often work together with ESA on projects.
How Countries Join ESA
Countries that want to become full members of ESA usually go through three steps: 1. They sign a Cooperation Agreement with ESA. At this stage, they have very few financial responsibilities. 2. If they want to work more closely, they sign a European Cooperating State (ECS) Agreement. This allows companies from that country to bid for ESA contracts, and the country can join most ESA programs. Their financial contribution increases, but it's still less than a full member. 3. This agreement is usually followed by a Plan For European Cooperating State (PECS Charter). This is a 5-year program to help the country's space industry grow. After 5 years, the country can start talks to become a full member, an associate member, or sign a new PECS Charter.
Many countries, especially those that recently joined the EU, have started working with ESA at different levels.
ESA's Rockets: Launching into Space
ESA currently uses the Vega rocket for smaller satellites. The Ariane 6 rocket is being prepared for launch in 2024. Rocket launches are handled by a company called Arianespace from ESA's Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana. Launching from near the equator in French Guiana is helpful because the Earth's spin gives rockets an extra boost, allowing them to carry heavier payloads.
Vega Rocket
Vega is ESA's rocket for launching small satellites. It was developed by seven ESA member countries, with Italy leading the project. Vega can carry satellites weighing between 300 and 1500 kilograms into a low orbit around Earth. Its first launch was in 2012.
The Vega rocket has three solid fuel stages and a liquid fuel upper stage. The upper stage helps place satellites very accurately into their orbits and can even put multiple satellites into different orbits. A larger version, called Vega-C, had its first flight in 2022. This new version can carry bigger payloads.
Future Rockets
ESA is also working on future rocket technologies. These include Prometheus, a reusable engine, Phoebus, an improved second stage for Ariane 6, and Themis, a reusable first stage. These projects aim to make space travel more affordable and efficient.
Human Space Flight: Sending Astronauts to Space
How European Astronauts Started
When ESA was first created, its main focus was on robotic space exploration, not sending people into space. The first non-Soviet European in space was from Czechoslovakia in 1978, on a Soviet spacecraft.
The first official ESA astronaut to fly into space was Ulf Merbold from Germany. He flew on the Space Shuttle mission STS-9 in 1983, which included the first use of the European-built Spacelab. This marked the beginning of a strong partnership between ESA and NASA, leading to many ESA astronauts flying on the Space Shuttle. ESA also continued to work with the Soviet Union (and later Russia) on human space flights, including visits to the Mir space station.
Because human space flights became more common, the European Astronaut Centre was set up in Cologne, Germany, in 1990. This center selects and trains future astronauts and works with international partners like the International Space Station. In 2008, ESA started looking for new astronauts, and six new members were chosen for the European Astronaut Corps.
Spacecraft for Astronauts
In the 1980s, France wanted Europe to have its own spacecraft for astronauts. They worked on a project called Hermes, which was a small reusable spaceship designed to carry 3 to 5 astronauts. It would have launched on the Ariane 5 rocket. However, this project was canceled in 1995 because the world changed, and ESA decided to work with Russia instead.
In the 21st century, ESA started new projects to create its own crew vehicles. One idea was Hopper, and a prototype called Phoenix was tested. ESA also explored working with the Russian Space Agency on a reusable spacecraft called Kliper, but this project didn't go forward.
In 2012, ESA decided to join NASA's Orion programme. ESA would build a special part called the service module for NASA's new crewed spacecraft. This could also help secure seats for ESA astronauts on Orion missions. ESA also works with Sierra Nevada Corporation on the Dream Chaser project, a reusable spaceplane.
Working with Other Countries and Organizations
ESA works with many other countries and space agencies around the world. These partnerships help with big space projects that no single country could do alone.
National Space Agencies in Europe
Many ESA member countries have their own space agencies that work closely with ESA:
- The Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES) is France's space agency. It played a big role in designing the Ariane rockets.
- The UK Space Agency represents the United Kingdom's interests in space.
- The Italian Space Agency (ASI) helps plan and carry out Italy's space activities.
- The German Aerospace Center (DLR) is Germany's national research center for aviation and space flight.
- The Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA) is Spain's public research organization for aerospace technology.
Working with NASA
ESA and NASA have a long history of working together. Many ESA astronauts have flown into space on NASA's Space Shuttle. The Spacelab program in the 1980s and 1990s was a joint ESA-NASA project where ESA built orbital labs for the Space Shuttle.
For robotic science missions, NASA has been ESA's main partner. Missions like Cassini–Huygens, SOHO, and the Hubble Space Telescope were all joint projects. Future collaborations include the James Webb Space Telescope and possibly a mission to bring samples back from Mars. ESA is also working with NASA on the Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon, including the first woman on the Moon.
Working with SpaceX
In 2023, after the successful launch of the Euclid telescope on a Falcon 9 rocket, ESA started discussions with SpaceX to launch more satellites. This shows how ESA is open to working with private space companies.
Working with Other Space Agencies
ESA also works with other major space agencies:
- China: ESA and the Chinese Space Agency have worked together on missions like the Double Star Mission.
- Russia: ESA has had joint projects with the Russian Space Agency, including preparing the French Guiana spaceport for Russian Soyuz rockets.
- India: ESA sent instruments into space on the ISRO's Chandrayaan-1 mission to the Moon.
- Japan: ESA is working with JAXA on the BepiColombo mission to Mercury.
International Space Station (ISS)
ESA is a big partner in the International Space Station (ISS). Eleven of ESA's 22 member states participate in this project. ESA has contributed important parts to the ISS, such as the Columbus science laboratory module and the Cupola observatory module. ESA has also developed the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) to resupply the ISS with cargo. These robotic spacecraft could carry over 7,600 kg of supplies and docked automatically with the ISS.
The ISS is a huge international effort, with partners including NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), and JAXA (Japan).
ESA and the European Union
The European Space Agency (ESA) is an independent space agency. It is not directly controlled by the European Union (EU), even though they often work together and share common goals. Many ESA members are also EU members, but ESA also includes non-EU countries like the United Kingdom, Norway, and Switzerland.
The EU and its member states provide a large part of ESA's funding. ESA works with the EU on major space programs like the Copernicus Programme (Earth observation satellites) and the Galileo satellite navigation system. ESA provides the technical expertise for these projects.
In 2021, the EU and ESA agreed to work more closely. The EU said that ESA would continue to be the main European agency for space matters, focusing on the technical side of EU space programs, while the EU's own space agency (EUSPA) would handle the operational parts. This means they have clear roles and work together as a strong team in space.
Images for kids
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ESA mission patch
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ESA logo
