Space exploration is an area of science that inspires a sense of wonder in many people. From sending astronauts to explore the Moon to discovering new planets, space exploration has accelerated vastly in the past few decades. It’s estimated that over 50 space research organisations exist in the world today, with many of them successfully contributing to the world of space exploration.
In this article, we’ll look at the top space research organisations in the world that have made significant achievements in outer space research. We’ll look at each space research organisation and discuss how they contribute to space exploration efforts.
NASA
The leader in space research, NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) was founded in 1958 and has been a driving force in space exploration efforts ever since. NASA is a space research organisation that is funded by the US Government and based in the United States. NASA’s current research involves sending humans to the Moon by 2024 and achieving a goal of long-term exploration of Mars and other planets.
NASA’s major accomplishments include landing on the Moon in 1969, launching the Hubble Space Telescope in 1990, participating in the International Space Station partnership in 1998, sending the Mars Science Laboratory to Mars in 2011, and launching the James Webb Space Telescope in 2018.
European Space Agency (ESA)
The European Space Agency (ESA) is a 22-member intergovernmental organisation established in 1975 to coordinate Europe’s space research programmes. ESA boasts some of the top science and engineering talent in the world and its headquarters are located in Paris.
The ESA has made major advances in space exploration, notably deploying the Mars Express mission in 2003, sending the Rosetta space probe to comet 67P in 2004, conducting the first spacewalk from the International Space Station in 2008 and launching the Gaia Space Observatory in 2013.
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is Japan’s main space research organisation. Established in 2003, JAXA’s headquarter is located in Tokyo, Japan.
JAXA’s notable achievements include sending the Hayabusa spacecraft on a mission to asteroid 25143 Itokawa to study it, developing the Kibo module on the International Space Station, launching the Aquarius/SAC-D satellite to monitor global sea levels, and accomplishing the world’s first interplanetary orbit of Venus via the Akatsuki spacecraft.
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
India’s space research programme began in 1962 with the establishment of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). ISRO is based in Bangalore, India, and is known for its pioneering efforts in bringing space exploration within reach of an ordinary citizen.
ISRO has been responsible for several groundbreaking achievements, including launching the Mangalyaan mission to Mars in 2013, putting India on the map when it comes to space exploration. ISRO has also launched several successful satellite missions, including the Chandrayaan-1 Moon Mission in 2008 and the Astrosat mission in 2015.
Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS)
The Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS) is the main space exploration organization of the Russian Federation. It was formed in 1992 and its headquarter is located in Moscow.
ROSCOSMOS has been responsible for several key achievements in the world of space exploration, including launching the first human into space in 1961, landing a rover on Moon’s surface in 1970, launching the Mir Space Station in 1986, sending the first consumer satellite into orbit in 1995 and sending the Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station in 1998.
China National Space Administration (CNSA)
The China National Space Administration (CNSA) is the space agency of the People’s Republic of China. It was established in 1993 with its headquarters in Beijing.
CNSA has made many major achievements in its short span, notably launching its first satellite in 1970, launching its first space station, Tiangong-1, in 2011 and conducting a successful mission to the far side of the moon in early 2019.
European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC)
The European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) of the European Space Agency (ESA) is an internationally renowned centre for space research, located in Noordwijk, The Netherlands.
ESTEC offers a range of services for the development of space exploration projects, ranging from mission design and system engineering to testing and development of space hardware. It also provides access to a range of specialist facilities that support, validate and certify the success of multiple space exploration missions each year.
Space exploration has progressed in leaps and bounds in the past few decades, with tremendous achievements made in the field of space research. The world’s leading space research organisations have all contributed to this progress, making history and inspiring future generations of space adventurers. From NASA to CNSA and ESTEC, these organisations have all made significant strides in space exploration and discovery.