Space Programs

Here’s a look at some of the major space programs around the world that are shaping humanity’s exploration beyond Earth:

1. NASA (United States)

• Founded: 1958

• Highlights: Moon landings, Mars rovers (Curiosity, Perseverance), James Webb Space Telescope, Artemis program (return to the Moon).

• Focus: Exploration, science, human spaceflight, and Earth observation.

2. ESA – European Space Agency

• Founded: 1975

• Members: 22 European countries

• Highlights: Mars Express, Rosetta (comet landing), collaboration on the ISS.

• Focus: Robotic missions, satellite technology, Earth monitoring, and international partnerships.

3. Roscosmos (Russia)

• Founded: 1992 (origin in Soviet space program)

• Highlights: First human in space (Yuri Gagarin), Mir space station, Soyuz program.

• Focus: Crewed spaceflight, ISS transportation, lunar plans.

4. CNSA – China National Space Administration

• Founded: 1993

• Highlights: Chang’e lunar missions, Tianwen-1 Mars rover, Tiangong space station.

• Focus: Independent lunar and Mars missions, space station construction, scientific research.

5. ISRO – Indian Space Research Organisation

• Founded: 1969

• Highlights: Chandrayaan lunar missions, Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission), cost-effective satellite launches.

• Focus: Earth observation, planetary science, space exploration.

6. JAXA – Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

• Founded: 2003

• Highlights: Hayabusa asteroid missions, Kibo ISS module, lunar exploration.

• Focus: Robotic exploration, Earth science, satellite development.

7. SpaceX (Private – USA)

• Founded: 2002 by Elon Musk

• Highlights: Falcon rockets, Starship development, commercial astronaut missions, Starlink satellite internet.

• Focus: Reusable rockets, Mars colonization, commercial space travel.

8. Blue Origin (Private – USA)

• Founded: 2000 by Jeff Bezos

• Highlights: New Shepard suborbital flights, New Glenn rocket in development.

• Focus: Commercial spaceflight, orbital launch systems, Moon exploration.