European Space Agency—ESA

Abstract

European Space Agency (ESA) was established in 1975 to provide for, and to promote, European co-operation in space research and technology, and their applications, for exclusively peaceful purposes. ESA’s core tasks are to define and put into effect a long-term European space policy of scientific research and technological development, and to encourage all members to co-ordinate their national programmes with those of the Agency to ensure that Europe maintains a competitive position in the field of space technology. ESA’s space safety activities cover early warning and mitigation of potentially damaging solar flares and asteroids, the identification and removal of space debris, and the development of mechanisms aimed at automating space traffic control. ESA Earth Explorer missions, the research element of its Living Planet Programme, aim to enhance understanding of the Earth’s system while addressing key challenges identified by the scientific community.