The main purpose of space exploration is advancing scientific research, uniting different countries, and ensuring the survival of humanity for a long period of time. The early era of exploring space was driven by a ‘Space Race’ between the United States and the Soviet Union. Today, many nations have their own space agencies working under certain rules and policies. In particular, more than 70 government space organizations and tons of private companies are currently engaged in activities related to space research. A few of them are far ahead of others, in terms of achievement, capabilities, and annual budget. The article mentions ten best friends of our neighbors in the outer space.
1.National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and space research. NASA was established in 1958, succeeding the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). NASA’s science is focused on better understanding Earth through the Earth Observing System; advancing heliophysics through the efforts of the Science Mission Directorate’s Heliophysics Research Program; exploring bodies throughout the Solar System with advanced robotic spacecraft such as New Horizons; and researching astrophysics topics, such as the Big Bang, through the Great Observatories and associated programs.
2. China National Space Administration (CNSA)
China National Space Administration (CNSA) is the national space agency of the People’s Republic of China responsible for the national space program and for planning and development of space activities. CNSA and China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) assumed the authority over space development efforts previously held by the Ministry of Aerospace Industry. CNSA assumes the main responsibilities of signing governmental agreements in the space area on behalf of organizations, inter-governmental scientific and technical exchanges. Being in charge of the enforcement of national space policies and managing the national space science, technology and industry.
3.The European Space Agency (ESA)
The European Space Agency is an intergovernmental organisation of 22 member states dedicated to the exploration of space. Established in 1975 and headquartered in Paris. ESA has a worldwide staff of about 2,200 in 2018 and an annual budget of about €6.5 billion in 2021. ESA’s space flight programme includes human spaceflight; the launch and operation of unmanned exploration missions to other planets and the Moon; Earth observation, science and telecommunication; designing launch vehicles; and maintaining a major spaceport, the Guiana Space Centre at Kourou, French Guiana. The main European launch vehicle Ariane 5 is operated through Arianespace with ESA sharing in the costs of launching and further developing this launch vehicle. The agency is also working with NASA to manufacture the Orion Spacecraft service module that will fly on the Space Launch System.
4. Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos)
The Roscosmos State Corporation for Space Activities, commonly known as Roscosmos, is a state corporation of the Russian Federation responsible for space flights, cosmonautics programs, and aerospace research. Roscosmos is headquartered in Moscow. As the main successor to the Soviet space program, Roscosmos’ legacy includes the world’s first satellite, first human spaceflight, and first space station. Its current activities include the International Space Station, wherein it is a major partner. On 22 February 2019, Roscosmos announced the construction of its new headquarters in Moscow, the National Space Centre. In March 2021, Roscosmos signed a memorandum of cooperative construction of a lunar base called the International Lunar Research Station with the China National Space Administration. As of 2009, six space tourists have contracted with Roscosmos and have flown into space, each for an estimated fee of at least $20 million (USD)
5. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
The Indian Space Research Organisation is the national space agency of India, headquartered in Bengaluru. It is one of six government space agencies in the world which possess full launch capabilities, deploy cryogenic engines, launch extra-terrestrial missions and operate large fleets of artificial satellites. Goals in near future include expanding satellites fleet, landing a rover on Moon, sending humans into space, development of a semi-cryogenic engine, sending more unmanned missions to moon, Mars, Venus and Sun and deployment of more space telescopes in orbit to observe cosmic phenomena and outer-space beyond solar system. Long-term plans include development of reusable launchers, heavy and super heavy launch vehicles, deploying a space station, sending exploration missions to external planets like Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune and asteroids and manned missions to Moon and planets.
6.SpaceX
Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) is an American aerospace manufacturer, space transportation services and communications corporation headquartered in Hawthorne, California. SpaceX was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk with the goal of reducing space transportation costs to enable the colonization of Mars. SpaceX manufactures the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launch vehicles, several rocket engines, Dragon cargo, crew spacecraft and Star link communications satellites. In January 2020 the Star link constellation became the largest satellite constellation ever launched. SpaceX is also developing Starship, a privately funded, fully reusable, super heavy-lift launch system for interplanetary spaceflight. Starship is intended to become the primary SpaceX orbital vehicle once operational, supplanting the existing Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy and Dragon fleet. Starship will be fully reusable and will have the highest payload capacity of any orbital rocket ever on its debut, scheduled for the early 2020s.
7. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency is the Japanese national aerospace and space agency. On 1 October 2003, three organizations were merged to form the new JAXA: Japan’s Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), the National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan (NAL), and National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA). JAXA was formed as an Independent Administrative Institution administered by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC). In 2012, new legislation extended JAXA’s remit from peaceful purposes only to include some military space development, such as missile early warning systems. Political control of JAXA passed from MEXT to the Prime Minister’s Cabinet Office through a new Space Strategy Office.
8. German Aerospace Center (DLR)
The German Aerospace Center is the national center for aerospace, energy and transportation research of Germany. Its headquarters are located in Cologne. DLR has approximately 8,200 employees at 20 locations in Germany. Its institutes and facilities are spread over 13 sites, as well as offices in Brussels, Paris and Washington, D.C. DLR has a budget of €1 billion to cover its own research, development and operations. Approximately 49% of this sum comes from competitively allocated third-party funds. DLR’s mission comprises the exploration of the Earth and the solar system, as well as research aimed at protecting the environment and developing environmentally compatible technologies, and at promoting mobility, communication and security. DLR’s research portfolio, which covers the four focus areas Aeronautics, Space, Transportation and Energy, ranges from basic research to innovative applications.
9. Italian Space Agency (ASI)
Although established in 1988, the Italian Space Agency drew extensively on the work of many experienced Italian scientists and earlier national organisations. In 1996, they launched their first big satellite mission named BeppoSAX, to examine the universe in the X-ray. Later, the agency collaborated on several major international space exploration projects, such as Cassini-Huygens, Mars Express, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Venus Express, Juno, and XMM-Newton. The Italian space industry has also involved in human spaceflight activities. Its Shuttle Multipurpose Logistics Module cargo containers provide an important function in storing and transferring instruments to the ISS. At present, the agency is a partner in the ESA’s heavy-lift launch vehicle —Arian 5 — programme that can put a payload of over 11,000 kilograms to geostationary transfer orbit.
10. National Centre for Space Studies (France)
French Space Agency mainly focuses on five areas: civil applications of space, access to space, science and technology research, sustainable development, and security and defence. The agency is currently working with Germany and other governments to develop a reusable launch vehicle powered by methane. The aim is to drastically bring down the cost and reduce the duration of reusable rocket refurbishment. They are also developing a technique called formation flying that involves keeping multiple satellites and their heavy components in a tightly-controlled configuration, as close as hundreds of feet apart in an orbit. In collaboration with the Indian Space Agency (ISRO), they deployed the Megha-Tropiques satellite into orbit, which is currently analysing the water cycle in the context of climate change.
