ESA celebrated 50 years at ESOC

On 28 August 2014, the European Space Agency [ESA] celebrated 50 years of European cooperation in space. Jean-Jacques Dordain, the ESA’s Director General, invited dignitaries, former astronauts, and colleagues past and present, the workforce at the European Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt, Germany [ESOC] gathered to share the success story of the ESA.
In 1964, the Conventions of ELDO (launchers) and ESRO (science and later applications) entered into force. A decade later, a single European Space Agency was established, taking over from these two organisations.