Government space agencies, established by the governments of countries and regioagencies (groupings of countries) are established as a means for advocating for engaging in activities related to outer space, exploitation of space systems, and/or space exploration. The listings summarize all countries' and regional authorities' space agencies with a comparative summary of demonstrated capabilities.[citation needed]

The objectives include national prestige, exploitation of remote sensing information, communications, education, and economic development. These agencies tend to be civil in nature (vs military) and serve to advance the benefits of exploitation and/or exploration of space. They span the spectrum from old organizations with small budgets to mature national or regional enterprises such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States, the European Space Agency (ESA) which coordinates for more than 20 constituent countries, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the Roscosmos State Corporation for Space Activities (Roscosmos) of Russia, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

The space agency listings are segregated to enable identification of subsets of the complete list that have advanced to higher levels or technical or programmatic proficiency in accordance with the following:

  • Establishment of agency, initial exploitation of space-based systems
  • Development of launch capability
  • Capacity for extraterrestrial exploration
  • Demonstration of human spaceflight capability across one or more of these domains

Overview

As of 2024,[update] nearly 80 different government space agencies are in existence, including more than 70 national space agencies and several international agencies.

Overview of space agencies
Space agencyDemonstrated capability
Country or organizationNameAcronymFoundedFirst space travelerOperates satellitesBuilds satellitesRecoverable payloads capable
African UnionAfrican Space AgencyAfSA24 Jan 2023
AlgeriaAlgerian Space AgencyASAL16 Jan 2002(Alcomsat-1)(AlSAT-1)
ArgentinaComisión Nacional de Actividades EspacialesCONAE1961 (CNIE) 28 May 1991 (CONAE)(Nahuel 1A)(ARSAT-1)
AustraliaAustralian Space AgencyASA1986 (NSP) 1 Jul 2018 (ASA)(Paul Scully-Power)(Aussat A1)(WRESAT)
AustriaAustrian Space AgencyALR12 Jul 1972(Franz Viehböck)(TUGSAT-1/UniBRITE)(TUGSAT-1/UniBRITE)
AzerbaijanSpace Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (Azercosmos)Azercosmos2010(Tuva Cihangir Atasever)(Azerspace-1)(Azersky-2)
BahrainBahrain Space AgencyBSA2014AlMuntherAlMunther
BangladeshBangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing OrganizationSPARRSO1980(Bangabandhu-1)(BRAC Onnesha)
BelgiumBelgian Institute for Space AeronomyBIRA IASB BISANov 25, 1964(Dirk Frimout)(PROBA-1)
BrazilBrazilian Space AgencyAEB10 Feb 1994(Marcos Pontes)(Brasilsat A1)(Amazônia-1)
BulgariaBulgarian Space AgencySRI-BAS STIL-BAS1987(Georgi Ivanov)(Bulgaria 1300)(Bulgaria 1300)
CanadaCanadian Space AgencyCSA ASC1 Mar 1989(Marc Garneau)(Alouette 1)(Alouette 1)
ChileChilean Space AgencyCSA2001
ChinaChina National Space AdministrationCNSA22 Apr 1993(Yang Liwei)(Dong Fang Hong 1)
Costa RicaCosta Rican Space Agency (Agencia Espacial Costarricense)AEC2021(Irazú)(Irazú)
InternationalItaly Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI) United Kingdom British National Space Centre (BNSC) Canada Canadian Space Agency (CSA) France Centre National d’Études Spatiales (CNES) China China National Space Administration (CNSA) Germany Deutsches Zentrum für Luft und Raumfahrt (DLR) European Space Agency (ESA) Brazil Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE) Japan Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Russia Russian Federal Space Agency (RFSA)Consultative Committee for Space Data SystemsCCSDS1982
InternationalAlgeria Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Belgium Brazil Bulgaria Canada Chile China Czech Republic Denmark Egypt Finland France Germany Greece Hungary India Indonesia Iran Iraq Israel Italy Japan Kazakhstan South Korea Malaysia Mexico Morocco Netherlands Nigeria Norway Pakistan Poland Portugal Romania Russia Saudi Arabia Slovakia South Africa Spain Sweden Switzerland Taiwan Thailand Turkey Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Caribbean CommunityCommittee on Space ResearchCOSPAR1958
Czech RepublicDepartment of Space Activities at the Ministry of Transport (Czech Republic)MoT2008(Vladimír Remek)(Magion 4)(VZLUSAT-2)
DenmarkDanish National Space CenterDNSC DTU Space1 Jan 1968 (DSRI) 1 Jan 2005 (DNSC)(Andreas Mogensen)(Ørsted)(Ørsted)
EgyptEgyptian Space AgencyEGSA NARSS EASRT-RSC2018 1994 1971–1994(Sara Sabry)(EgyptSat 1)(NARSSCube-1)
El SalvadorInstituto Aeroespacial de El Salvador(Esai)ESAI2021
EthiopiaEthiopian Space Science and Technology InstituteESSTI14 Oct 2016ETRSS-1ETRSS-1
Austria Belgium Czech Republic Denmark Estonia European Union Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Ireland Italy Luxembourg Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Romania Spain Sweden Switzerland United KingdomEuropean Space AgencyESA ASE EWO1964 (ESRO/ELDO) 30 May 1975 (ESA)(Ulf Merbold)(Cos-B)(Cos-B)
European UnionEuropean Union Agency for the Space ProgrammeEUSPA12 Jul 2004 (GSA) 21 May 2021 (EUSPA)
FranceNational Centre for Space StudiesCNES19 Dec 1961(Jean-Loup Chrétien)(Astérix)(Astérix)
GermanyGerman Aerospace CenterDLR1969(Sigmund Jähn)(Azur)
GhanaGhana Space Science and Technology CentreGSSTI2 Apr 2012(GhanaSat-1)(GhanaSat-1)
GreeceHellenic Space Centre Ελληνικό Κέντρο ΔιαστήματοςHSC ΕΛΚΕΔ9 Aug 2019(Hellas Sat 2)(UPSat)
HungaryHungarian Space OfficeMŰI HSOJan 1992(Bertalan Farkas)(MaSat-1)(MaSat-1)
IndiaIndian Space Research OrganisationISRO इसरो1962 (INCOSPAR) 15th Aug 1969 (ISRO)(Rakesh Sharma)(Aryabhata)(Aryabhata)
IndonesiaIndonesian Space Agency (Previously LAPAN)INASA3 Nov 2022 27 Nov 1964 (LAPAN)(Palapa-A1)(Lapan-TUBsat)
IranIranian Space AgencyISA2004(Sina-1)(Omid)(Pishgam)
IsraelIsraeli Space AgencyISA סוכנות החלל הישראליתApr 1983(Ilan Ramon)(Ofeq-1)(Shavit 2)
ItalyItalian Space AgencyASI1988(Franco Malerba)(San Marco 1)(San Marco 1)
JapanJapan Aerospace Exploration AgencyJAXA ジャクサ1 Oct 2003(Toyohiro Akiyama)(Ohsumi)(Ohsumi)
KazakhstanNational Space Agency of the Republic of KazakhstanKazCosmos KazKosmos27 Mar 2007(Toktar Aubakirov)(KazSat-1)(Al Farabi-1)
KenyaKenya Space AgencyKSA7 Mar 2017(1KUNS-PF)(1KUNS-PF)
North KoreaNational Aerospace Technology AdministrationNATA1980s (KCST) 2013 (NADA) 2023 (NATA)(Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2)(Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2)
South KoreaKorea AeroSpace AdministrationKASA 우주청27 May 2024
South KoreaKorea Aerospace Research InstituteKARI 항우연10 Oct 1989(Yi So-yeon)(Koreasat 1)(KITSAT-1)
CELACLatin American and Caribbean Space AgencyALCE2022
LithuaniaLithuanian Space AssociationLSA2007(LituanicaSAT-1)(LituanicaSAT-1)
LuxembourgLuxembourg Space AgencyLSASep 2018(Astra 1A)(KSM (Kleos Scouting Mission))
MalaysiaMalaysian Space AgencyMYSA2002(Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor)(MEASAT-1)(TiungSAT-1)
MexicoMexican Space AgencyAEM30 Jul 2010(Rodolfo Vela)(Morelos I)(UNAMSAT B)
MongoliaNational Remote Sensing Center of MongoliaNRSC1991(Gurragchaa Jugderdemid)(Mazaalai)(Mazaalai)
MoroccoRoyal Center for Remote Sensing Centre Royal de Télédétection Spatiale Ammas Amrrukan n Tallunt (المركز الملكي للإستشعار البعدي الفضائي)CRTSDec 1989(Maroc-Tubsat)(Maroc-Tubsat)
NetherlandsNetherlands Institute for Space ResearchSRON1983(Wubbo Ockels)(ANS)(ANS)
New ZealandNew Zealand Space AgencyNZSAApr 2016(Humanity Star)(Humanity Star)
NigeriaNational Space Research and Development AgencyNASRDA1998(Nigeriasat-1)(Nigeria EduSat-1)
NorwayNorwegian Space AgencyNRS NSC1987(Thor 2)(nCube-2)
PakistanPakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research CommissionSUPARCO سپارکو16 Sep 1961 (started working from 1964)(Namira Salim)(Badr-1)(Badr-1)
ParaguayParaguayan Space Agency (Agencia Espacial de Paraguay)AEP26 Mar 2014(GuaraníSat-1)(GuaraníSat-1)
PeruNational Commission for Aerospace Research and DevelopmentCONIDA11 Jun 1974(Chasqui I)
PhilippinesPhilippine Space AgencyPhilSA2014 (DOSTASTI) 8 August 2019 (PhilSA)(Agila-1)(Diwata-1)
PolandPolish Space AgencyPOLSA29 Sep 1976 (CBK PAN) 26 Sep 2014 (POLSA)(Mirosław Hermaszewski)(Lem)(Lem)
PortugalPortugal SpacePTSPACE2019(PoSAT-1)(PoSAT-1)
RomaniaRomanian Space AgencyASR ROSA1991(Dumitru Prunariu)(Goliat)(Goliat)
RussiaRoscosmos State Corporation for Space ActivitiesRoscosmos Роскосмос25 Feb 1992(Aleksandr Volkov)(Kosmos 2175)(Kosmos 2175)(Soyuz TM-14)
RwandaRwanda Space AgencyRSA2021(RWASAT-1)(RWASAT-1)
Saudi ArabiaSaudi Space AgencySSA1977 (KACST-SRI) 2018 (SSC/SSA)(Sultan Bin Salman)(Arabsat-1A)(SaudiSat-4)
SingaporeNational Space Agency of SingaporeNSAS1 Apr 2026
South AfricaSouth African National Space AgencySANSA9 Dec 2010(Mark Shuttleworth)(SUNSAT)(SUNSAT)
Soviet UnionSoviet space programСССР Космическая программа1955 disbanded 25 Dec 1991(Yuri Gagarin)(Sputnik 1)(Sputnik 1)(Korabl-Sputnik 2)
SpainAgencia Espacial EspañolaAEE2023(Pedro Duque)(Hispasat 1A)(Intasat)
SwedenSwedish National Space AgencySNSA1972(Christer Fuglesang)(Viking)
SwitzerlandSwiss Space OfficeSSO1998Claude Nicollier(SwissCube-1)(SwissCube-1)
SyriaSyrian Space AgencySSA18 Mar 2014(Muhammed Faris)
TaiwanTaiwan Space AgencyTASA3 Oct 1991(ST-1)(Formosat-1)
ThailandGeo-Informatics and Space Technology Development AgencyGISTDA สทอภ3 Nov 2000(Thaicom 1)(KNACKSAT)
TunisiaFrench: Centre national de la cartographie et de la télédétection (Arabic: المركز الوطني للإستشعار عن بعد) (National Remote Sensing Center of Tunisia)CNCT1988(Challenge-1)(Challenge-1)
TurkeyTurkish Space Agency (Türkiye Uzay Ajansı)TUA1985 (TÜBİTAK UZAY) 13 Dec 2018 (TUA)(Alper Gezeravcı)(Türksat 1A)(Göktürk-2)
TurkmenistanTurkmenistan National Space AgencyTNSA2011(Oleg Kononenko)(TürkmenÄlem52E / MonacoSAT)
UkraineState Space Agency of UkraineSSAU2 Mar 1992(Leonid Kadeniuk)(Sich-1)
United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates Space AgencyUAESA2014(Hazza Al Mansouri)(Thuraya 2)(KhalifaSat)
United KingdomUnited Kingdom Space AgencyUKSA1 Apr 2010(Helen Sharman)(Ariel 1)(Prospero)
United NationsUnited Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer SpaceUNCOPUOSDec 12, 1959
United NationsUnited Nations Office for Outer Space AffairsUNOOSA13 Dec 1958
United StatesNational Aeronautics and Space AdministrationNASA29 Jul 1958(Alan Shepard)(Explorer 1)(Explorer 1)(Discoverer 13)
UzbekistanThe Space Research and Technology Agency under the Ministry of Digital Technologies of the Republic of UzbekistanUzbekspace agency2019
VenezuelaBolivarian Agency for Space ActivitiesABAE1 Jan 2008(Venesat-1)
VietnamVietnam National Space Center (Trung tâm Vũ trụ Việt Nam)TTVTVN or VNSC VAST-VNSC20 Nov 2006(Phạm Tuân)(Vinasat-1)(F-1)
Subnational Space Agencies
CountrySubdivisionNameFoundedFirst space travelerOperates satellitesBuilds satellitesRecoverable payloads capable
United StatesCaliforniaCalifornia Space Authority1996 (CSTA) 2001 (CSA) disbanded 10 Jun 2011
FloridaSpace Florida1989 (FSA) 1 Sep 2006 (Space Florida)
New MexicoNew Mexico Spaceport AuthorityFeb 2011
OklahomaOklahoma Space Industry Development Authority2006
VirginiaVirginia Spaceport Authority1 Jul 1996

Launch capability

This group of agencies have developed or are developing launch infrastructure including space launch sites, suborbital launch technology, orbital launch systems, cryogenic rocket technologies and reusable hardware technologies.

Overview of space agency launch capabilities
AgencyDemonstrated capability
Operates launch siteSuborbital launch capableOrbital launch capableCryogenic rocket engine useReusable systems use
Argentina CONAE(Punta Indio)(Orión)
Australia ASA(Woomera)(Long Tom)
Brazil AEB(Alcântara)(VSB-30)(VLS-1)(L-75)
Canada CSA
China CNSA(Jiuquan)(Long March 1)(YF-73)
Austria Belgium Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Ireland Italy Luxembourg Netherlands Norway Portugal Poland Romania Spain Sweden Switzerland United Kingdom ESA(Kourou)(Ariane 1)
France CNES(Kourou)(Véronique)(Diamant A)
India ISRO(Sriharikota)(RH-75)(SLV)(CE-20) (CE-7.5)(NGLV)
Iran Iranian Space Agency(Semnan)(Safir)(Safir)(Bahman engine)(Reusable OLV project)
Israel Israel Space Agency(Palmachim Airbase)(Shavit 2)(Shavit 2)
Italy ASI(Salto di Quirra)
Japan JAXA(Uchinoura)(Lambda-4S)(LE-7)
North Korea NATA(Sohae)(Unha-3)(May 27, 2024)
South Korea KARI(Naro)(Nuri)
Mexico MSA
New Zealand NZSA(Mahia)
Pakistan SUPARCO(Sonmiani Flight Test Range)(Rehbar-I)
Poland POLSA
Russia Roscosmos(Plesetsk)(Soyuz-U)(Soyuz-7 2028)
Soviet Union Soviet space program(Baikonur)(GIRD-09)(R-7 Sputnik)(KVD-1)(Buran)
Sweden SNSA(Esrange)(Maser)
Ukraine SSAU(Dnepr)
United Kingdom UKSA
United States NASA(Cape Canaveral)(WAC Corporal)(Juno I)(RL10)(Space Shuttle)

Extraterrestrial exploration capability

This group of agencies have developed advanced technological capabilities required for travel and study of other heavenly bodies within the Solar System. These involve the capacity to leave the local area around the planet Earth for lunar and/or missions to other bodies in the Solar System.

Overview of space agencies extraterrestrial exploration capability
Space agencyDemonstrated capability
Operates flyby spacecraftOperates extraterrestrial orbiterControlled surface impactUncrewed soft landingUncrewed rover operationSample return
China CNSA(Chang'e 5-T1)(Chang'e 1)(Chang'e 1)(Chang'e 3)(Yutu-1)(Chang'e 5)
Austria Belgium Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Ireland Italy Luxembourg Netherlands Norway Portugal Poland Romania Spain Sweden Switzerland United Kingdom ESA(Ulysses)(Mars Express)(Rosetta)(Huygens)
India ISRO(Chandrayaan-3)(Chandrayaan-1)(Moon Impact Probe)(Chandrayaan-3)(Pragyan)
Japan JAXA(Hiten)(Hiten)(Hiten)(Hayabusa)(MINERVA-II)(Hayabusa)
Soviet Union Soviet space program(Luna 1)(Luna 10)(Luna 2)(Luna 9)(Lunokhod 1)(Luna 16)
United States NASA(Pioneer 4)(Lunar Orbiter 1)(Ranger 7)(Surveyor 1)(Sojourner)(Apollo 11)
Russia Roscosmos(Exomars Trace Gas Orbiter)(Luna 25)

Without launch capabilities

This category is formed by agencies that operate and construct satellites in extraterrestrial environments, but do not have the capability to transport those satellites to the desired orbit/trajectory/landing spot. As of May 2024, five space agencies have achieved the requirements to be listed here:

Overview of space agencies extraterrestrial satellite operation and constructing capabilities.
Space agencyDemonstrated capability
Operates extraterrestrial orbiterControlled surface impactUncrewed soft landingUncrewed rover operationSample return
Luxembourg LuxSpace(Manfred Memorial Moon Mission, flyby only)
Italy ASI(ArgoMoon)
South Korea KARI(Danuri)
United Arab Emirates UAESA(Emirates Mars Mission)
Pakistan SUPARCO(ICUBE-Q)

Human spaceflight capability

This small group of countries/space agencies have demonstrated the highest technological capacity with systems and solutions that support human spaceflight along with the ancillary technological capabilities to support human activity in orbit and/or on extraterrestrial bodies. The missions identified (and personnel when appropriate) are the first successful accomplishments of each activity.

Overview of space agencies human spaceflight capability
Space agencyDemonstrated capability
Crewed space launchEVARendezvous and dockingSpace stationCrewed circumlunar flightCrewed Moon landing
China CNSA(Shenzhou 5)(Shenzhou 7)(Shenzhou 8 to Tiangong-1)(Tiangong-1)
India ISRO(SDX01 to SDX02 — as part of SpaDeX)
Russia Roscosmos(Soyuz TM-14)(Mir, Aleksandr Volkov and Sergei Krikalev)(Soyuz TM-14 to ISS)(Mir)
Soviet Union Soviet space program(Vostok 1)(Voskhod 2, Alexei Leonov)(Soyuz 4 to Soyuz 5)(Salyut 1)
United States NASA(Mercury-Redstone 3)(Gemini 4, Ed White)(Gemini 8 to GATV)(Skylab)(Apollo 8)(Apollo 11)

Proposed agencies

  • Albania Albanian Space Office (ASO), proposed in 2020, at progress stage.
  • Armenia Armenian Space Agency (ArmCosmos), proposed in 2013 with the goal to launch satellites, currently negotiating with the International Telecommunication Union to clear the path for its prospective launch.
  • Bhutan Bhutan Space Office (BSO), proposed in 2016, at progress stage.
  • Botswana Botswana Aeronautics and Space Agency (BotswanaSpace), proposed in 2020, at progress stage.
  • Cambodia Cambodian Aeronautics and Space Office (CASO), proposed in 2016, at progress stage.
  • Croatia Croatian Space Agency (CROSA), proposed in 2020, currently operates as NGO Adriatic Aerospace Association (A3), at progress stage.
  • Djibouti Djibouti National Space Office (DNSO), announced in 2022, at bill stage.
  • Guatemala Guatemala Space Agency, proposed in 2019, at progress stage.
  • Honduras Honduras Space Agency (AEH), proposed in 2018, at progress stage.
  • Iraq Iraqi National Aeronautics and Space Office (INASO), proposed in 2019, at progress stage.
  • Laos Lao Aeronautics and Space Agency (LaoSpace), proposed in 2015, at progress stage.
  • Latvia Latvia Space Office (LSO), proposed in 2020, at progress stage.
  • Malta Malta Space Office (MSO), proposed in 2022, at progress stage.
  • Moldova Moldova National Space Office, proposed in 2018, at progress stage.
  • Monaco Monaco Space Agency, proposed in 2020, at progress stage.
  • Montenegro Montenegrin National Bureau of Space, announced in 2022, bill stage.
  • Myanmar Myanmar Aeronautics and Space Agency (MASA), proposed in 2019, at progress stage.
  • Nepal Nepal Aeronautics and Space Office (NepalSpace), proposed in 2018, at progress stage.
  • Nicaragua Nicaraguan Space Agency (AEN), announced in 2021, bill stage.
  • Oman Oman Space Agency (OSA), proposed in 2020, at progress stage.
  • Panama Panama Space Agency (AEP), proposed in 2014, at progress stage.
  • Serbia Serbian Space Office (SerbSpace), proposed in 2016, at progress stage.
  • Slovenia Slovenian National Bureau of Space, proposed in 2019, at progress stage.
  • Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Aeronautics and Space Agency (SLASA), proposed in 2009. Immediate goal was to construct and launch two satellites. Sri Lankan Telecommunications Regulatory Commission had signed an agreement with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd to get the relevant help and resources.
  • Sudan Sudan Space Agency, proposed in 2017, at progress stage.
  • Tanzania Tanzanian National Space Agency (TNSA), proposed in 2021, at progress stage.
  • Uruguay Uruguayan Space Agency (AEU), Announced in 2021, bill stage.

Budgets

The annual budgets listed are the official budgets of national space agencies available in public domain. For European contributors to ESA, the national budgets shown include also their contributions to ESA.

Budgets of space agencies
AgencyBudget (US$ millions)YearReference
United States NASA25,4002025
China CNSA18,1502023
Austria Belgium Czech Republic Denmark European Union Finland France Germany Greece Ireland Italy Luxembourg Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Romania Spain Sweden Switzerland United Kingdom ESA9,0802025
France CNES3,5212022
Japan JAXA2,3882022
Russia Roscosmos1,9502025
India ISRO1,8312022
Italy ASI1,6852024
Germany GAC1,4242021
Greece HSC12023
Spain AEE7392023
South Korea KASA7262025
United Kingdom UKSA6042021
Canada CSA4602019
Algeria ASA3942020
Belgium ISAB2602020
Poland PSA2432025
Iran ISA, ISRC and ARI2222024
Switzerland SSO1772019
Netherlands NSO1502022
Sweden SNSA1202022
Ukraine SSAU1072022
Norway NSA1032019
Turkey TSA207.32026
Austria ASA752020
Brazil BSA682022
Argentina CONAE632022
Indonesia NIAS542022
Pakistan SUPARCO502019
Philippines PSA382019
Nigeria NSRDA362020
Australia ASA352020
Israel ISA172020
South Africa SANSA152020
Portugal AEP92023
Mexico MASA42022
ESSTI32022[192]
Chile CSA12014
World~62,000

See also

Notes

External links