esa Mission logo of Alexander Gerst (Horizons, Soyuz_MS-09, 2018)
esa Mission logo of Thomas Reiter (Astrolab, Expeditions 13/14, Space-Shuttle STS 121)
In 1973, eleven European countries decided to pursue joint collaboration in the field of space exploration and formed a new pan-national organization to undertake this mission, the European Space Agency (ESA). For some time prior to the ESA's formation, France had been lobbying for the development of a new European expendable launch system to serve as a replacement for the Europa rocket; one proposed successor in the form of a refined Europa, referred to as the Europa IIIB, was studied but was found to be too ambitious and costly.
The European Space Agency (ESA) is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to the exploration of space, with 20 member states. Established in 1975 and headquartered in Paris, France.
First ESA Astronaut Class 2009 Shenanigans Space Mission Patch
