From NASA's multi-billion-dollar programs to emerging agencies in Africa and the Middle East, the global space landscape has never been more diverse. As of 2026, more than 70 countries have established space agencies or dedicated government bodies for space activities. This directory is the most comprehensive list of space agencies available anywhere online, organized by region with key details on budgets, flagship missions, and capabilities.

Whether you're researching international partnerships, tracking government space spending, or exploring career opportunities abroad, this guide covers every space agency you need to know.

North America

United States

NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)

Founded: 1958
Budget: ~$25.4 billion (FY2026)
Headquarters: Washington, D.C.
Key Programs: Artemis (lunar return), James Webb Space Telescope, Mars Sample Return, Commercial Crew (SpaceX, Boeing), International Space Station operations
Employees: ~18,000 civil servants plus extensive contractor workforce
Notable: The world's largest civilian space agency by budget. NASA operates 10 field centers including Kennedy Space Center, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Johnson Space Center.

U.S. Space Force (USSF)

Founded: 2019
Budget: ~$30 billion (FY2026)
Headquarters: Pentagon, Arlington, VA
Key Programs: Space Domain Awareness, GPS III constellation, missile warning, satellite communications, Golden Dome defense initiative
Notable: Sixth branch of U.S. armed forces dedicated to space operations. Operates the Space Surveillance Network tracking 40,000+ orbital objects.

NRO (National Reconnaissance Office)

Founded: 1961 (declassified 1992)
Budget: Classified (estimated $20+ billion)
Key Programs: Classified reconnaissance satellite constellations, next-generation overhead architecture

Canada

CSA (Canadian Space Agency)

Founded: 1989
Budget: ~$440 million CAD (FY2025-26)
Headquarters: Longueuil, Quebec
Key Programs: Canadarm3 for the Lunar Gateway, RADARSAT Constellation Mission, Artemis participation, astronaut program (Jeremy Hansen on Artemis II)
Notable: Canada's Canadarm technology has been used on the Space Shuttle and ISS. CSA is a key Artemis Accords signatory.

Mexico

AEM (Agencia Espacial Mexicana)

Founded: 2010
Budget: ~$10 million USD
Headquarters: Mexico City
Key Programs: Earth observation, satellite communications, STEM education initiatives

Europe

European Space Agency (Multinational)

ESA (European Space Agency)

Founded: 1975
Budget: ~€7.8 billion ($8.5 billion, 2025)
Headquarters: Paris, France
Member States: 22 members including France, Germany, Italy, UK, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, and others
Key Programs: Ariane 6 launch vehicle, Copernicus Earth observation, Galileo navigation, ExoMars, JUICE (Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer), Lunar Gateway contributions, Euclid space telescope
Notable: The world's second-largest civilian space agency. ESA's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana provides equatorial launch access.

EUMETSAT

Founded: 1986
Budget: ~€600 million
Headquarters: Darmstadt, Germany
Key Programs: Meteosat weather satellites, MetOp polar-orbiting satellites, Meteosat Third Generation

France

CNES (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales)

Founded: 1961
Budget: ~€2.9 billion ($3.1 billion)
Headquarters: Paris and Toulouse
Key Programs: Ariane launch vehicles (through Arianespace), SPOT/Pleiades Earth observation, SVOM, Mars missions with NASA
Notable: France has the largest national space budget in Europe. CNES manages the Guiana Space Centre, ESA's primary launch site.

Germany

DLR (Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft- und Raumfahrt)

Founded: 1969
Budget: ~€2.5 billion ($2.7 billion) for space activities
Headquarters: Cologne
Key Programs: Earth observation (TerraSAR-X, TanDEM-X), ISS research (Columbus module), robotics, propulsion research
Notable: DLR is both a space agency and a major aerospace research organization with over 10,000 employees across 30 sites.

Italy

ASI (Agenzia Spaziale Italiana)

Founded: 1988
Budget: ~€2.3 billion ($2.5 billion)
Headquarters: Rome
Key Programs: COSMO-SkyMed radar satellites, Vega launch vehicle, ISS contributions, Artemis participation
Notable: Italy is the third-largest ESA contributor and a major manufacturer of ISS modules through Thales Alenia Space.

United Kingdom

UKSA (UK Space Agency)

Founded: 2010
Budget: ~£800 million ($1 billion)
Headquarters: Swindon
Key Programs: OneWeb investment, national space strategy, SaxaVord Spaceport development, Earth observation
Notable: The UK is pursuing sovereign launch capability from Scottish spaceports and is a major commercial space economy.

Other European Agencies

Spain (INTA): Instituto Nacional de Tecnica Aeroespacial. Founded 1942. Manages Maspalomas and Villafranca ground stations. Budget ~€200M.
Netherlands (NSO): Netherlands Space Office. Active in Earth observation, ESA contributions, and NewSpace ecosystem support.
Belgium (BELSPO): Belgian Federal Science Policy Office. Key ESA contributor, active in Proba satellite series.
Switzerland (SSO): Swiss Space Office. Strong in clean space technology, precision instruments. Home to ESA's ESTEC-adjacent research.
Sweden (SNSA): Swedish National Space Agency. Operates Esrange Space Center, a key European launch and sounding rocket site.
Norway (NOSA): Norwegian Space Agency. Active in maritime satellite services, Arctic monitoring, Andøya Spaceport development.
Denmark (DTU Space): Technical University of Denmark's space division. Instrumentation and Earth observation focus.
Austria (FFG): Austrian Research Promotion Agency handles space. Active in ESA programs, satellite positioning.
Poland (POLSA): Polish Space Agency. Founded 2014. Growing ESA member with satellite observation programs.
Romania (ROSA): Romanian Space Agency. Founded 1991. ESA member since 2011.
Portugal (PT Space): Portugal Space Agency. Founded 2019. Focuses on Earth observation and Atlantic monitoring.
Czech Republic (CSO): Czech Space Office. Active in ESA programs, space instrumentation.
Greece (HSA): Hellenic Space Agency. Founded 2019. Focuses on Earth observation and telecommunications.
Luxembourg (LSA): Luxembourg Space Agency. Founded 2018. Pioneering space resources legislation, home to SES satellite operator.
Ireland: Enterprise Ireland manages space activities. Active in ESA through optional programs.
Hungary (HSO): Hungarian Space Office. ESA member, satellite development.
Finland: Ministry of Economic Affairs manages space. Active in Arctic satellite communications.
Estonia (ESTCube): Estonian space program. Developing small satellites and space technology.
Latvia: Latvian space activities coordinated through Ministry of Education. ESA cooperating state.
Lithuania: Lithuanian space program. Developing nanosatellites (LitSat-1). ESA cooperating state.

Asia

China

CNSA (China National Space Administration)

Founded: 1993
Budget: ~$14 billion (estimated, 2025)
Headquarters: Beijing
Key Programs: Tiangong Space Station, Chang'e lunar program (sample return achieved), Tianwen Mars missions, BeiDou navigation constellation, Long March rocket family, crewed lunar landing (planned ~2030)
Notable: China has the world's second-largest space budget and launched over 60 orbital missions in 2025. The commercial space sector (Landspace, iSpace, Galactic Energy) is growing rapidly.

Japan

JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)

Founded: 2003 (predecessor NASDA from 1969)
Budget: ~¥500 billion ($3.3 billion)
Headquarters: Chofu, Tokyo
Key Programs: H3 launch vehicle, Hayabusa asteroid sample return missions, SLIM lunar lander, QZSS navigation, ISS contributions (Kibo module), MMX (Martian Moons eXploration)
Notable: Japan achieved a precision lunar landing with SLIM in January 2024. JAXA is a key Artemis Accords partner.

India

ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation)

Founded: 1969
Budget: ~$2 billion
Headquarters: Bengaluru
Key Programs: Chandrayaan lunar missions (Chandrayaan-3 successful landing 2023), Gaganyaan crewed spacecraft, GSLV/LVM3 rockets, NavIC navigation, Mangalyaan Mars orbiter, NISAR Earth observation (with NASA)
Notable: ISRO is renowned for cost-effective missions. India became the fourth country to achieve a soft lunar landing. IN-SPACe is promoting commercial space activities.

South Korea

KARI (Korea Aerospace Research Institute) / KASA (Korea AeroSpace Administration)

Founded: KARI 1989, KASA 2024
Budget: ~$700 million
Headquarters: Daejeon
Key Programs: Nuri (KSLV-II) rocket, Danuri lunar orbiter, next-gen launch vehicle, reconnaissance satellites
Notable: South Korea successfully reached orbit with its indigenous Nuri rocket in 2023 and established KASA as a standalone space administration in 2024.

Other Asian Agencies

Taiwan (TASA): Taiwan Space Agency. Founded 1991. FORMOSAT Earth observation satellites, developing small launch vehicles.
Vietnam (VNSC): Vietnam National Space Center. Founded 2011. Earth observation focus, VNREDSat satellites.
Thailand (GISTDA): Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency. Earth observation satellites.
Philippines (PhilSA): Philippine Space Agency. Founded 2019. Developing satellite capabilities for disaster management.
Indonesia (BRIN/LAPAN): National Research and Innovation Agency. Launch site at Biak, satellite programs, equatorial launch advantage.
Malaysia (MYSA): Malaysian Space Agency. Earth observation, astronaut program.
Singapore: Space activities managed through Office for Space Technology and Industry (OSTIn). Growing small satellite ecosystem.
Bangladesh (SPARRSO): Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization. Bangabandhu-1 communications satellite.
Pakistan (SUPARCO): Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission. Founded 1961. Earth observation and communications satellites.
Sri Lanka (SLSA): Sri Lanka Space Agency. Founded 2019. Early-stage space development.
Kazakhstan (Kazcosmos): Manages the Baikonur Cosmodrome lease with Russia. Developing domestic space capabilities.
Mongolia: Developing space activities through academic partnerships and nanosatellite programs.

Middle East

United Arab Emirates

UAE Space Agency / MBRSC (Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre)

Founded: UAE Space Agency 2014, MBRSC 2006
Budget: ~$6 billion (planned through 2030)
Headquarters: Abu Dhabi / Dubai
Key Programs: Hope Mars orbiter (Al Amal), Rashid lunar rovers, MBZ-SAT Earth observation, Emirates Lunar Mission, astronaut program (Sultan Al Neyadi ISS mission)
Notable: The UAE has one of the most ambitious space programs in the Middle East. The Hope probe reached Mars in 2021, making UAE the fifth entity to orbit Mars.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Space Agency (SSA) / Saudi Space Commission (SSC)

Founded: 2018
Budget: Multi-billion dollar investment under Vision 2030
Key Programs: Saudi SAT Earth observation, NEO Surveyor partnership with NASA, commercial crew missions (astronauts flew to ISS via Axiom Space), space tourism initiatives
Notable: Part of Saudi Vision 2030 diversification. Saudi Arabia sent its first astronauts to space in 2023.

Israel

ISA (Israel Space Agency)

Founded: 1983
Budget: ~$250 million
Headquarters: Tel Aviv
Key Programs: Ofeq reconnaissance satellites, EROS Earth observation, Beresheet lunar lander (2019 attempt), Venus environmental satellite
Notable: Israel is one of the few countries with indigenous orbital launch capability (Shavit rocket). Unique constraint: launches westward over the Mediterranean due to geography.

Other Middle Eastern Agencies

Iran (ISA): Iranian Space Agency. Founded 2004. Safir and Simorgh launch vehicles. Has placed satellites in orbit independently.
Turkey (TUA): Turkish Space Agency. Founded 2018. National space program targets lunar landing by 2030, developing indigenous satellite systems.
Bahrain (NSSA): National Space Science Agency. Founded 2014. Focus on space science education and Earth observation.
Qatar: Es'hailSat satellite operator. Growing interest in space activities.
Oman: Developing space strategy through National Space Program.

Oceania

Australia

ASA (Australian Space Agency)

Founded: 2018
Budget: ~$700 million AUD ($460 million)
Headquarters: Adelaide
Key Programs: Moon to Mars initiative with NASA, Equatorial Launch Australia (Arnhem Space Centre), growing commercial launch sector, space sustainability efforts
Notable: Australia's Woomera was one of the earliest rocket launch sites. The new agency aims to triple the size of Australia's space sector by 2030.

New Zealand

NZSA (New Zealand Space Agency)

Founded: 2016
Budget: ~$20 million NZD
Headquarters: Wellington
Key Programs: Regulatory oversight for Rocket Lab's Mahia Peninsula launch site, responsible space policy
Notable: New Zealand is the 11th country with an orbital launch site (via Rocket Lab). Despite its small agency, NZ has become a globally significant launch nation.

Africa

South Africa

SANSA (South African National Space Agency)

Founded: 2010
Budget: ~$25 million
Headquarters: Pretoria
Key Programs: Earth observation, space weather monitoring, host of Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope, SumbandilaSat
Notable: South Africa has one of the most developed space programs in Africa and plays a key role in global space weather monitoring from its location in the Southern Hemisphere.

Nigeria

NASRDA (National Space Research and Development Agency)

Founded: 1999
Budget: ~$50 million
Headquarters: Abuja
Key Programs: NigeriaSat Earth observation constellation, NigComSat communications satellites, building indigenous satellite development capability
Notable: Nigeria operates the first communications satellite built and launched by an African country.

Egypt

EgSA (Egyptian Space Agency)

Founded: 2018
Budget: ~$100 million
Headquarters: Cairo
Key Programs: EgyptSat Earth observation, TIBA communications satellite, partnership with China for satellite development

Other African Agencies

Algeria (ASAL): Algerian Space Agency. Founded 2002. Alsat Earth observation satellites. Most experienced satellite operator in North Africa.
Morocco (CRTS): Royal Centre for Remote Sensing. Mohammed VI A/B Earth observation satellites.
Kenya (KSA): Kenya Space Agency. Founded 2017. Leveraging equatorial location for potential launch site development.
Ethiopia (ESSTI): Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute. Launched ETRSS-1 Earth observation satellite in 2019.
Rwanda: Developing space capabilities. Launched first satellite (RWASAT-1) in 2019.
Ghana (GhSA): Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute. GhanaSat-1 CubeSat launched in 2017.
Tunisia (CNCT): National Centre for Cartography and Remote Sensing. Challenge One CubeSat program.
Uganda: Developing space strategy through universities, first CubeSat program.
Zimbabwe: ZimSat-1 launched in 2022, marking Zimbabwe's entry into space.
African Union / AfSA: African Space Agency (proposed). Continental body to coordinate African space activities, headquartered in Egypt.

Latin America & Caribbean

Brazil

AEB (Agencia Espacial Brasileira)

Founded: 1994
Budget: ~$100 million
Headquarters: Brasilia
Key Programs: CBERS Earth observation satellites (with China), Alcantara Launch Center (equatorial advantage), VLS rocket program, SGDC communications satellites
Notable: Brazil's Alcantara is the world's closest operational launch base to the equator, offering maximum launch efficiency. The site is now being commercialized for international launch providers.

Argentina

CONAE (Comision Nacional de Actividades Espaciales)

Founded: 1991
Budget: ~$60 million
Headquarters: Buenos Aires
Key Programs: SAOCOM radar satellites, SABIA-Mar ocean observation, Tronador II rocket development
Notable: Argentina's INVAP builds satellites and has exported nuclear and space technology globally.

Other Latin American Agencies

Chile (ACE): Chilean Space Agency. Focused on astronomy support (Atacama hosts world's best observatories) and Earth observation.
Colombia (CCE): Colombian Space Commission. FACSAT military observation satellites.
Peru (CONIDA): Comision Nacional de Investigacion y Desarrollo Aeroespacial. PeruSAT-1 high-resolution observation satellite.
Bolivia (ABE): Agencia Boliviana Espacial. Founded 2010. Tupac Katari communications satellite.
Ecuador (EXA): Ecuadorian Civilian Space Agency. NEE-01 Pegasus nanosatellite program.
Venezuela (ABAE): Agencia Bolivariana para Actividades Espaciales. VeneSat-1 communications, VRSS Earth observation.
Paraguay (AEP): Agencia Espacial del Paraguay. Founded 2014. Early-stage development.
Costa Rica: Central American Aerospace Agency interest. CubeSat programs through universities.
Guatemala: Quetzal-1 CubeSat launched in 2020, first Guatemalan satellite.

Russia & Former Soviet States

Russia

Roscosmos

Founded: 1992 (restructured as state corporation 2015)
Budget: ~$3.5 billion (estimated)
Headquarters: Moscow
Key Programs: Soyuz crewed spacecraft, ISS partnership, GLONASS navigation, Angara launch vehicle, Luna-25 lunar program, Baikonur and Vostochny cosmodromes
Notable: Roscosmos inherited the Soviet space legacy. Despite budget constraints and geopolitical challenges, Russia remains a top-tier spacefaring nation with unmatched crewed spaceflight heritage.

Other Former Soviet Space Programs

Ukraine (SSAU): State Space Agency of Ukraine. Founded 1992. Significant launch vehicle heritage (Zenit, Dnepr). Yuzhnoye Design Bureau. Operations disrupted by conflict.
Kazakhstan (Kazcosmos): Manages Baikonur Cosmodrome. Developing KazSat communications satellites and domestic launch capabilities.
Azerbaijan (Azercosmos): Founded 2010. Azerspace communications satellites. Growing commercial satellite operator.
Belarus: Developing satellite capabilities with Russian cooperation. BKA Earth observation satellite.

Key Trends in Global Space Governance

Several important trends are shaping the global space agency landscape:

New agencies forming rapidly: More than 20 new space agencies have been established since 2015 alone, reflecting growing recognition that space capabilities are essential for national development.
Commercial-government convergence: Agencies worldwide are shifting from building everything in-house to purchasing commercial services — following NASA's successful Commercial Crew and Cargo model.
Artemis Accords expansion: Over 40 countries have signed the Artemis Accords, creating a framework for peaceful space exploration cooperation.
African space renaissance: Africa's space sector is growing fastest by percentage, with over 15 African nations now operating or developing satellite programs.
Budget growth: Global government space spending exceeded $110 billion in 2025, with the U.S., China, and Europe accounting for over 85% of total spending.

Explore detailed profiles, budget data, and mission timelines for all major space agencies on the SpaceNexus Space Agencies module, and track government spending trends with our Government Budgets dashboard.