What does European Space Agency do?

The European Space Agency (ESA) is an intergovernmental organization focused on space research, technology development, and exploration. Established in 1975, ESA was formed by merging the European Space Research Organisation and the European Launcher Development Organisation. Headquartered in Paris, France, it currently includes 22 member states, coordinating Europe's space program through five specialized centers across various countries. ESA's mission is to advance knowledge of Earth, its environment, and the Universe while promoting industrial capabilities and international collaboration. It is recognized as the third-largest space power globally. ESA's key initiatives include the development of the Ariane rocket series for satellite launches, contributions to human spaceflight through the Columbus laboratory on the International Space Station, and numerous scientific missions such as Mars Express and the Herschel space telescope. ESA also operates over 50 satellites for climate and environmental monitoring and has plans for human missions to Mars by 2030.