Encyclopedia category
Agencies
- Records in this category
- 5
- With their own profile
- 5
China National Space Administration (CNSA)
The national space agency of the People’s Republic of China, associated with robotic exploration including Chang’e and international cooperation. The Shenzhou crewed programme and Tiangong station are managed by the separate China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
European Space Agency (ESA)
An intergovernmental European space agency founded in 1975, with 23 member states since January 2025. It contributes to the development of Ariane launchers, exploration of planets and comets, and operation of European ISS modules.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
The United States' civilian space agency, founded in 1958 in response to the Soviet Sputnik. It oversaw the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs.
OKB-1 / Soviet space program (today Roscosmos)
The OKB-1 design bureau, led by Sergei Korolev, was behind the R-7 launcher, Sputnik, Vostok, and Soyuz. Predecessor of today's Roscosmos agency.
SpaceX
An American company founded by Elon Musk. Its Falcon 1 reached orbit in 2008; in 2012 the cargo Dragon became the first privately developed spacecraft attached to the ISS, using the station’s robotic arm. Crew Dragon carried its first crew into orbit in 2020.