The History of the European Space Program

Abstract

In order to analyze the European position and future in the space domain, it is crucial to understand the historical development that led to its contemporary position. Especially in Europe, the historical development that occurred on the continent since the end of the Second World War holds a high level of impact on the current state of affairs. The issue is analyzed from two perspectives. First, the historical development of the common European project inside the post-Second World War geopolitical development is being set up. This establishes a framework into which European space activities are added. These are, again, analyzed in the global context that is divided into three distinct periods—approximately 1957–1972, 1972–1991, and 1991–nowadays.