Agence spatiale européenne
The European Space Agency (ESA) is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to space exploration, with 22 member states. Founded in 1975, ESA shapes Europe's space capabilities, ensuring investments in space deliver benefits to European citizens, working across the entire space sector. ESA develops and operates Earth observation, navigation, telecommunications, and astronomy satellites and sends probes to explore the solar system, partnering with agencies like NASA, JAXA and commercial partners like Airbus. Key programs include the development of launch vehicles like Ariane and Vega, the Galileo satellite navigation system, and missions like Rosetta and BepiColombo.
All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.
Airbus won an ESA contract to deliver European Service Modules ESM-1 through ESM-6 for the Artemis program.
The European Service Module contract is with ESA, not NASA.
Sateliot partnered with LMT Group and the European Space Agency on February 16, 2026 to advance dual-mode 5G satellite IoT modules from TRL 2 to TRL 3.
NASA and ESA disclosed in December 2022 that Sentinel-6B would launch on Falcon 9 for approximately $94 million, around €90 million at December 2022 exchange rates.
ESA is responsible for placing contracts with European industry for the development, launch, and operation of satellites as part of its role in the European Union’s Copernicus Earth observation satellite constellation.
ESA’s disclosure was the first public indication of Ariane 62 launch pricing.
The European Space Agency disclosed that launching the Sentinel-1D Earth observation satellite aboard an Ariane 62 rocket in November 2025 cost €82,070,773.
The project was funded through ESA’s Space for 5G/6G and Sustainable Connectivity line within the Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems program.
The Sentinel-1D launch procurement action was listed by ESA as the Sentinel-1D Alternative Launcher Service.
ESA publishes an annual list of contracts it awards with a value of more than €15,000.
ArkEdge Space’s Lunar Navigation Satellite System is aligned with the international LunaNet initiative alongside ESA and NASA.
The European Investment Bank supports Space TechEU and provides advisory support with the European Commission, the European Space Agency, and the European Innovation Council.
The Spanish government has committed €169 million as part of the European Space Agency’s European Launcher Challenge.
ESA’s QKDSat aims to support resilient and secure commercial and governmental communications across its Member States.
Smile is a joint mission of the European Space Agency and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
ESA’s Quantum Key Distribution Satellite (QKDSat) contract within the ARTES Partnership Projects program was awarded to Redwire.
The panel includes ESA Director of Technology Dietmar Pilz, Neuraspace CEO Chiara Manfletti, Astroscale US SVP Janna Lewis, and Cambridge Consultants’ Head of Satellite & Space Stewart Marsh.
On April 6, 2026, Redwire Corporation won a contract from the European Space Agency to develop a quantum encryption satellite.
The Redwire contract with the European Space Agency is part of the EuroQCI (European Quantum Communication Infrastructure) initiative.
Artemis I and Artemis II will help NASA and ESA make Orion operational for future Artemis missions.