European Space Agency (ESA)

The European Space Agency (ESA), headquatered in Paris, France, is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to the exploration of space.

ESA had 10 founding members: Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

The member states that joined the Agency later are: Ireland, Norway, Austria, Finland, Portugal, Greece, Luxembourg and the Czech Republic (in chronological order).

Canada has been an Associate Member of ESA since 1979.

Hungary has been a Cooperating State since 2003 and can participate ESA projects through PECS (Plan for European Cooperating State).

Source: Wikipedia