Top 10 Space Agencies

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In the beginning of space travel, the Soviet Union, United States, Europe, China, and India dominated the space race. However, today, many countries in the world now have at least one satellite in space. This includes several third world countries. The top space agencies, such as NASA, have made great strides in the fields of cryogenic rocket technology, space probes as well as recoverable spacecraft capacity. Check out the list below for the top 10 space agencies in the world.

#10: The Canadian Space Agency

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) started under the Agency’s act and Royal Ascent in 1990. The agency must submit regular reports to the Minister of Canada’s Innovation, Science and Economic Development. The CSA began activities towards the end of the Second World War. However, the government did not integrate it until May 10th, 1990.

The CSA has headquarters in the city of Quebec. It has an annual budget of $483 million. The first major space activity that the agency conducted was the launch of Alouette 1, in 1962. With the launch, Canada became the third country to have an artificial satellite in space making it one of the top 10 space agencies in the world. Since the successful launch of Alouette 1, Canada had successfully launched the Anik A-1 as well. The country became the first country to have its own satellite for Geostationary communication.^[1]Why are satellites important to Canada?

#9: The Italian Space Agency

The Italian government established the Italian Space Agency (ASI) in 1988. The agency currently funds and regulates all of the country’s space activities. The Italian Space Agency is currently operating under the country’s Ministry of Education Universities and Research (MIUR).

Currently, the Italian Space Agency develops and launches spacecraft to observe the Earth. In addition, it focuses heavily on robotic exploration. With an annual budget of $1.8 billion and almost 200 workers, the Italian Space Agency remains one of the largest in the world. In addition to its robotic development program, the Italian Space Agency helps create a National blueprint for the planning and execution of Aerospace strategies. The Italian space agency is one of the most active of the top 10 space agencies in Europe.

The Italian Space Agency currently headquartered in Rome. In addition, it has 3 other operational centers that work with the main Space agency. Currently, the Italian Space Agency is working with the Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), for testing activities for future missions that will be carried out by NASA.^[2]physicsworld – Italian Space Agency chief Enrico Saggese quits in wake of investigation

#8: The French Space Agency

The French Space Agency, also referred to as the Center for Space Studies, was founded in the year 1961. The organization was primarily established to train French astronauts before they were transferred to the European space agency. The space agency reports directly to the French Ministry of Defense and Research. The agency is headquartered in Paris. However, it primarily operates from its secondary base in the Toulouse space center.

The French Space Agency, just like other large top 10 space agencies, has taken part in numerous space exploration activities including launching of satellites into the space. It works with the European Space Agency as well as other top 10 space agencies around the world, including NASA, for joint space exploration activities. Currently, it works in both the civil and military sectors. It remains one of the best-funded top 10 space agencies in the world, with annual budget reach $2.3 billion in 2017.^[3]RAPPORT D’ACTIVITÉ 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 2015

#7: The German Aerospace Center

The German Aerospace Center, also known as DLR, was formed in 1997 after the amalgamation of 6 different aerospace organizations. Currently, the center administers Germany’s energy, transportation, and aerospace activities. The organization is headquartered in the city of Cologne with several other locations scattered all across the country. One of the missions of the German Aerospace Center is to explore the solar system and promote communication, mobility, and security. The agency is also involved in the making of automated transfer vehicle. The German Aerospace Center is one of the most funded of the top 10 space agencies in the world. In fact, it has an annual budget of $2 billion. Some of the past and current missions undertaken by the German Aerospace Center include: Helios, AEROS, Prisma, and Columbus.

#6: The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

JAXA is one of the youngest in the top 10 space agencies in the world. The Japanese government only established it in 2003. It is currently headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Its primary aim is to develop and launch satellites into the space, conduct research, generate asteroid data, and explore the moon. Despite its relatively late start, the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency has a large budget for space exploration. Currently, its annual budget is $1.6 billion a year.

JAXA is currently working with other manufacturing industries such as the Mitsubishi Industries, to develop and build Satellites and other spacecraft. Though JAXA was established in 2003, Japanese space exploration actually began in the 1950s with numerous universities and laboratories making tremendous inputs before the launch of Japan’s first satellite in 1970.^[4]Reuters – FACTBOX: Key facts about Japan’s space program

#5 ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization)

ISRO is one of the top 10 space agencies in the world. In addition, it is the first asian space agency to reach the Mars. In fact, it was the first space agency to achieve this on the first attempt on November, 2013 when the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM or Mangalyaan), was launched.^[5]Deccan Chronicle – India becomes first country in world to place spacecraft in Mars’ orbit in first attempt Currently, ISRO has one of the largest fleets of communication and remotely-controlled satellites in the world.

ISRO was formed in 1969, after the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) fell apart. To date, ISCO has launched a total of 75 spacecraft into space. The space agency has also been involved directly with some 46 launch missions. Currently, ISRO also manufactures and launches satellites into space. It also provides commercial space services through its subsidiary company-Antrix Corporation Limited (ACL).

#4: The European Space Agency (ESA)

The European Space Agency is one of the biggest and top 10 space agencies in the world. It currently works with Arianespace, a multinational company, to launch numerous spacecraft into the lower Earth orbit. Originally, an inter-governmental organization formed by 10 European member states established it in 1975. However, the ESA has expanded to become one of the largest of the top 10 space agencies, with current membership states standing at 22 member states. The top European member countries include: Austria, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland and France.^[6]ESA – What is ESA?

In addition, some countries outside of agency are actively working in conjunction with the agency including: Canada, Slovakia, Malta, Cyprus, and Lithuania. The first scientific mission embarked upon by ESA was the launch of Cos-B in 1975. Its first communication satellite, OTS-2, went into orbit in 1978.

#3: China National Space Administration (CNSA)

The China National Space Administration has grown to become one of the biggest and top 10 space agencies in the world. This is especially true in the fields of communication satellites and Earth observation satellites. CNSA is also develops and launches space shuttles.

In 2003, China decided to join the United States and Russia in the top-tier elite group of space capabilities. The following decade followed with many Chinese space missions. By September 2008, Chinese national – Zhai Zhigang, became the first Chinese person to take part in a spacewalk.^[7]The Guardian – China’s first spacewalk succeeds Afterward, in September 2011, China launched its first space station, through its Zhengzhou program. Additionally, the Zhengzhou 10 launched in June 2013. Lastly, in December 2013, the Chinese Change 3 mission landed on the moon.

China has made the greatest leaps in its space program between December 2011 and 2013. However, its history in space administration dates back to 1950’s. In addition, it launched its first spacecraft in 1970.

#2: The Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos)

The Russian Federal Space Agency is one of the primary members of the International Space Stations (ISS) and one of the top 10 space agencies in the world. Most of its programs focus on the development of new space vehicles launchers as well as numerous ground-based space components and infrastructures. Roscosmos has done several space missions including: Koronas Foton, Spektr RG, and Spektr R.

In 1992, the Russian Aviation and Space Agency formed Roscosmos. The agency’s roots come from the old Soviet Union where it formed in the 1930s but dissolved in 1991. Cosmos was on the path to becoming the largest space agency in the world. However, its financial difficulties in its early years caused it to close down 2001.

#1: NASA (National Aeronautic Space Agency)

It is impossible to make a list of the top 10 space agencies in the world without including NASA. It is arguably the biggest and most active space agency in the world. The US government launched the agency in 1958. Its first major project was the launch of Project Mercury. This mission was the first Human spaceflight operation that the United States of American launched.

The biggest NASA expedition is the 1969 Apollo mission. It was the first mission to put a man on the moon. Currently, NASA focuses on a diverse array of missions. These include understudying climate change, the effects on the sea level, and other natural occurrences across the face of the Earth.

NASA is also consistently exploring the rest of our solar system.^[8]U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission – The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) In 2015, NASA successfully launched the New Horizons spacecraft. Its mission is to flyby Pluto. It also launched the Juno Spacecraft. In 2016, it went into Jupiter to understand more about the planet. NASA does many types of missions. They include remote-controlled Earth satellites, Robotic missions to the Moon, the Skylab Orbital Workshop, and Robotic missions to other planets.