ESAESA historyWelcome to ESA
   
Welcome to ESAHistory of Europe in spaceELDO/ESRO/ESA:
Key dates 1960-2012
Key figures
European space pioneersPast Directors General of ESA
ESRO Directors General
ELDO Secretaries GeneralChairs of ELDO/ESRO/ESA Council
ESA History Project
The History of the European Space AgencySpace history on the webFurther reading on European space history
Download
ESA Bulletin: The ESA History ProjectHistory Study ReportsA History of the European Space Agency, Volume I:
The story of ESRO and ELDO, 1958-1973 (pdf)
A History of the European Space Agency, Volume II:
The story of ESA, 1973-1987 (pdf)
 
 
 
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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
 
 


Past Directors General of ESA
Roy GibsonErik QuistgaardReimar LüstJean-Marie LutonAntonio Rodotà
ESRO Directors General
Pierre AugerHerman BondiAlexander HockerRoy Gibson
ELDO Secretaries General
Renzo Carrobio di CarrobioRobert AubinièreGeorge Van Reeth
 
 
 
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