Overview ESRO Director Generals ESA was created from two different agencies set up in the 1960s, the European Launch Development Organisation (ELDO) and the European Space Research Organisation (ESRO). Pierre Auger Pierre Auger was the first Director General of ESRO, serving from 1964 until 1967. He passed away in 1993. Herman Bondi Sir Hermann Bondi, an Austrian-born British mathematician and cosmologist, was the second Director General of ESRO, serving from 1967 until 1971. He passed away in 2005. Alexander Hocker Alexander Hocker was the third Director General of ESRO, from 1971 to 1974, so being involved in one of the most turbulent periods in the European space effort. He passed away in 1996. Roy Gibson Roy Gibson was a Director General of ESRO, and the first Director General of ESA, serving from 1975 until 1980. Last update: 16 July 2009