ASTRONOMY
Since the establishment of ESA, space science, including extra-solar system observations, has been considered one of the foundations of the multi-national organization. (ESA's predecessor, ESRO, fielded numerous scientific satellites, including its first spacecraft in 1968 with cosmic ray detectors.) From its initial cooperation with the US and UK on the International Ultraviolet Explorer (launched 1978 and continuing to operate through 1994), ESA undertook a program of autonomous missions, beginning with the European X-ray Observatory Satellite (EXOSAT), while continuing its participation with other countries, e.g., the Hubble Space Telescope. The period 1993-1994 was marked by considerable activity in preparing for a flurry of deep space observatories scheduled for launch during 1995-1996. A new medium class mission was also approved as the first ESA science mission of the 21st century.
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