A second illustration is the European Space Agency (ESA). Unlike many international organizations, ESA came into being through the consolidation of two preexisting bodies, namely, the European Space Research Organization (ESRO) and the European Launcher Development Organization (ELDO). ESA, which is essentially a technical management organization, has larger powers than its progenitors. ESA was the result of a resolution adopted by the European Space Agency in November 1968. On May 30, 1975, the ESA convention was signed in Paris, and it came into existence as a de facto international organization. The de jure status of ESA was made dependent on the ratification of the agreement by the 10 States composing ELDO. The ESA treaty made provision for mandatory and optical programs. Those identified as mandatory were scientific and research oriented, while the optional programs were concerned more with the operation of space objects. ESA has been charged with the production of Spacelab for use in the Space Shuttle. The Agency is engaged in specific activities on behalf of its members. Such activities include general studies, education, and documentation. Its programs involve scientific satellites, communications satellites, and space transport systems and can involve cooperation with non-member States. "For all these activities and programs, the Agency had a budget amounting to $374 million U.S. dollars in 1975, and $491 in 1976. For 1977, the budget forecast was approximately $557 million. The level of resources proposed for the period 1978-1979-1980 amounts to a total of $1,491 million U.S. dollars." M. Bourely, "The European Space Agency's Contribution to the Development of Space Law," Proceedings of the 19th Colloquium on the Law
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTU5NjU0Mg==