ESA – European Space Agency

Austria contributes 2.3 percent to the mandatory science programmes of the European Space Agency (ESA) and participates in optional ESA Programmes with a special focus on satellite-based telecommunication as well as earth observation for environmental monitoring and meteorology.

The Austrian scientific and technological contributions comprise hardware and software developments for new telecommunication services, above all in the field of microwave propagation. In the field or remote sensing, contributions are made to satellite geodesy and orbit determination, the production of microwave radiometers for satellites to measure the water vapour content of the atmosphere, and remote sensing devices for atmospheric and ozone measurements.

Since 1 January 1994, Austria has also been a member of EUMETSAT, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites, which may be regarded as a logical further development of the country’s involvement in space research.

For further information, please consult the following websites:

• European Space Agency
• EUMETSAT - Monitoring Weather, Climate and the Environment