" The French space agency, CNES, was created in 1961 by the French governement.. The CNES is a public establishment with an industrial and commercial profile (EPIC), in charge of the development of French space activities. The CNES' mission is to make proposals to the government concerning the orientations of space policy in France. It then carries out the chosen programs in collaboration with its parteners in industry, research, and defense organizations..." more

" Arianespace is the commercial launch services leader, holding more than 50 percent of the world market for satellites to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO). Created as the first commercial space transportation company in 1980, Arianespace has signed contracts for 250 satellite payloads.
Today :
Arianespace is responsible for the production, operation and marketing of the Ariane launcher, and is a partner in the commercial operations of Starsem's Soyuz launch vehicle..." more

" To make the dreams of Europe space scientists come true, by creating and operating new scientific spacecraft for the European Space Agency, is the responsibility of staff based mainly at ESTEC, ESA science and technology centre at Noordwijk in the Netherlands. At ESA headquarters the Director of Science, Roger Bonnet, oversees policy and the overall shape of the science programme, aided by a small team in Paris. ESA science staff are deployed elsewhere, for example at ESA Villafranca station (near Madrid) for the ISO mission, in Garching (Germany) and Baltimore (USA) for the Hubble Space Telescope, and at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (near Washington DC) for the SOHO mission. The work of evaluating science projects and managing them in their formative years is never the less concentrated in ESTEC, where technological laboratories and test facilities give practical assistance..." more

ESA, the European Space Agency, provides a vision of Europe’s future in space, and of the benefits for people on the ground that satellites can supply. It also develops the strategies needed to fulfil the vision, through collaborative projects in space science and technology. The development of powerful launchers and novel spacecraft is one method by which ESA operates. Another is by creative interaction with the national space agencies and aerospace industries in ESA’s 15 Member States. And in an era when the US-Soviet space race of the Cold War has given way to worldwide cooperation in space, ESA speaks and acts for Europe on the global stage.

" The Canadian Space Program is organized under a single business line called "Space Knowledge, Applications and Industry Development". Its structure reflects a service-oriented space sector, with emphasis on terrestrial applications and benefits of space activities. This structure also responds to the increasing globalization of space efforts, in which Canadian space programs have strategic roles in global partnerships and consortiums. This business line involves all initiatives that ensure that the Agency performs its role as the leader of the Canadian Space Program. The CSA positions this nation to further expand our leadership in five areas of critical importance to Canada: Earth and Environment Space Science Human Presence in Space Satellite Communications Generic Space Technologies..." more

" At the dawn of space aeronautics in the 20th century, three organizations were established in Japan: The Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), which was devoted to space and planetary research; the National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan (NAL), which focused on research and development of next-generation aviation; and the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA), which was responsible for development of large-size launch vehicles, as represented by H-IIA, satellites, and the International Space Station.
In the 21st century, space development is no longer a dream but a very important mission for the benefit of our economic growth, our quality of life ( ... )

On October 1, 2003, ISAS, NAL and NASDA were merged into one independent administrative institution: the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)..." more

" Starsem is the Soyuz company, dedicated to providing commercial launch services with the reliable and proven Soyuz family of launch vehicles. The European-Russian organization brings together all key players involved in the production and operation of Soyuz and is responsible for international sales of the world's most versatile launch vehicle. Created in 1996, Starsem offers the Soyuz for a broad range of mission needs, including satellite telecommunications systems, scientific spacecraft, and Earth observation / meteorological platforms.
Starsem provides each customer a true turnkey service, from manufacture of the launch vehicle to mission preparations at the Baikonur Cosmodrome and successful in-orbit delivery of payloads..." more

" We are International - from our partners to our launch vehicles; from our employees to our worldwide locations; and from the way we do business to who we do business with. We do only one thing - provide reliable Launch Services. ILS is the most experienced and reliable launch service provider thanks to the business and technical expertise of our employees and the strong technical heritage of our parent companies. ILS is the only launch service provider that can offer two proven launch vehicle systems, two dedicated launch sites, over 70 years of combined launch services expertise, and a combined experience base of over 860 flights..." more

" 43 years ago on October 4, 1957 mankind overcame Earth's gravitation and launched the first artificial satellite into orbit. This event admired around the world became the beginning of the space age and demonstrated the maturity of scientific and technical concepts, and the high level of industrial potential of the Russian State. For 40 years of the space age science and engineering have been developing with the unprecedented dynamics. Space exploration stimulates creative ideas at the edge of the possible and predetermines Earth civilization's progress highlights forming our national technological and engineering-industrial elite. . . I am sure that the cradle of austronautics, Russia, will take a respected place in the information community..."Yu. Koptev more