Many countries around the globe have built space programs, and we’d like to introduce you to the major space agencies currently in operation around the globe.

72 different agencies are related to space activity. Of these, 14 of them have the capability to actually launch ships into space. Six of these agencies can launch and recover satellites, operate space probes, and deploy rockets. Only four of them are capable of human space flight. Let’s meet some of these agencies! 

China National Space Administration (CNSA)

Founded in 1993, the CNSA is charged with space exploration and aeronautics research. Headquartered in Beijing, the CNSA handles everything that any modern space responsibility must do: contracts, international collaboration and exchanges, building, research, and investment in new technology. 

Since 2013, there have been eleven Chinese citizens who have made the long journey to space. In the CNSA’s logo, you can see the Chinese character for ‘human’ and olive branches, to emphasize that China is focused on peaceful space exploration.

European Space Agency (ESA)

The European Space Agency has the third largest budget of all space agencies. It is an intergovernmental organization with a total of 22 member states who work together to set the agenda for space exploration. Since 1975, the organization has been based in Paris.

Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)

Headquartered in the tech hub of Bangalore, the Indian Space Research Organization was established in 1962. This makes it one of the earliest space-specific state agencies in existence. One of the ISRO’s lunar orbiters discovered lunar water in the form of ice in 2008. India has ambitious plans for the future, and the ISRO plans to develop a reusable launch vehicle, interplanetary probes, and the capacity for human spaceflight.

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

In 2003, JAXA was formed by incorporating several other agencies into one. JAXA manages a lot of different projects related to space exploration and telecommunications. They have a special interest in asteroid exploration and they are researching the possibility of human exploration on the Moon.

Russian Federal Space Agency (RFSA)

Commonly known as Roscosmos, the RFSA manages the famous Russian cosmonautics program. The Soviet space program has been in existence since the 1930s, but this form arose in 1991 following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The RFSA is well known because it launched the first successful human spaceflight, Yuri Gagarin in 1961.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

With the largest budget of all the agencies on this list, NASA is the American space exploration agency. Founded in 1958, it focuses on peaceful exploration of space. It led the Apollo Moon landing and currently supports the International Space Station with astronauts, supplies, and research investments.