European Space Research Organization

Also known as: ESRO

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June 26, 2026

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The European Space Research Organisation (ESRO) was established in 1964 by European scientists to combine government resources for space science. In the same year, the European Launcher Development Organisation (ELDO) was formed to develop a European space launch vehicle. ESRO successfully conducted science missions, often in collaboration with NASA, while ELDO struggled with rocket development. In 1975, ESRO and ELDO merged to create the European Space Agency (ESA), which now undertakes both scientific and launch vehicle development tasks. ESA has 22 member states and cooperates with other countries, including Canada.12

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aerospace industry
Internationalization
…for the establishment of the European Space Research Organisation (ESRO), devoted to scientific space programs and the construction of satellites. In the summer of 1972 the French government proposed to other European countries a new and technologically simpler launcher. The 5th European Space Conference in December 1972 proved to be…
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…for the establishment of the European Space Research Organisation (ESRO), devoted to scientific space programs and the construction of satellites. In the summer of 1972 the French government proposed to other European countries a new and technologically simpler launcher. The 5th European Space Conference in December 1972 proved to be…
Read More

European Space Agency
…Development Organisation (ELDO) and the European Space Research Organisation (ESRO), both established in 1964. Members include Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Slovenia is an associate member. Cooperative…
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…Development Organisation (ELDO) and the European Space Research Organisation (ESRO), both established in 1964. Members include Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Slovenia is an associate member. Cooperative…
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space exploration
Europe
In 1964 a European Space Research Organisation (ESRO), created at the initiative of European scientists to pool government resources in support of space science, began operations. Ten western European countries and Australia joined the organization. In the same year, a parallel European Launcher Development Organisation (ELDO), which had…
Read More
In 1964 a European Space Research Organisation (ESRO), created at the initiative of European scientists to pool government resources in support of space science, began operations. Ten western European countries and Australia joined the organization. In the same year, a parallel European Launcher Development Organisation (ELDO), which had…
Read More