By Neha Yadav
Published Jan 08, 2024

Hindustan Times
In Focus

Photo Credits: Unsplash

NASA, ISRO, SpaceX: Top 6 space agencies in the world

Several space agencies across the world have contributed to the study of space and celestial bodies. Here are the top space agencies that help us understand the universe better through their missions.

NASA

The US space agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was established in 1958. NASA has accomplished several space missions and has been observing space with its James Webb and Hubble telescopes.

ISRO

Indian Space Research Organisation was established in 1969. ISRO aims to study outer space using science, engineering and technology. Its key missions include Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, Gaganyaan and Aditya L1 missions. 

CNSA

Space agency China National Space Administration (CNSA) is the People's Republic of China's government agency for civil space administration and international space cooperation. CNSA initiated its human spaceflight program in 1992. 

ESA

The European Space Agency (ESA) comprises 22 member states for studying Earth, its immediate space environment, the solar system and the universe. Its headquarter is in Paris, France.

ROSCOSMOS

Russian Federal Space Agency, also known as ROSCOSMOS, is a state corporation that was established in 2015 to reform the Russian space industry. ROSCOSMOS launched its first mission to the moon in nearly 50 years in 2023.

SpaceX

SpaceX is the only private space agency founded by tech giant Elon Musk in 2002. SpaceX gained worldwide attention for being the first private company to take humans to space.