The European Space Agency

The European Space Agency is called ESA for short. It was created in 1975. Many European countries work together as part of ESA. They share the cost of rockets, satellites, and missions. ESA helps Europe explore space.

Working Together

ESA has 22 member countries in Europe. They share ideas and money to do big projects. ESA has its own rockets called Ariane. It also trains astronauts from many countries. ESA headquarters is in Paris, France.

A space museum in Belgium where visitors learn about European space missions.
A space museum in Belgium where visitors learn about European space missions. (NearEMPTiness / Wikimedia Commons)

Amazing Missions

ESA has done some incredible missions. It landed a robot on a comet with the Rosetta mission. It helps run the International Space Station with NASA. ESA also built parts of the James Webb Space Telescope. Its satellites study Earth's weather and climate.

Fun Facts

  • ESA's spaceport is in French Guiana in South America.
  • The Rosetta mission took 10 years to reach its comet.
  • ESA astronauts train in many different countries.

Did You Know?

ESA works with NASA, Japan, Canada, and Russia on the International Space Station.