resources of its members, it can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country.

ESA’s budget for 2017 is €5.75 billion. ESA operates on the basis of geographical return, i.e. it invests in each Member State, through industrial contracts for space programmes, an amount more or less equivalent to each country’s contribution. There are around 2200 staff working for ESA, from all the Member States and include scientists, engineers, information technology specialists and administrative personnel.