Special openings for 50 years of ESA
The ESRIN site under construction in early 1970 with crane in the background © ESA ECSR

This collection is a compilation of special document openings, on topics related to the beginnings of European acitivity in space and the first 50 years of ESA, celebrated in 2025. Use the following links to browse the documents and find out more about them:
 

Hommage Jubilaire à Pierre Auger, special opening of proceedings from a symposium in honour of Pierre Auger

Sheds new light on the careers, networks and cooperation of the early Euoprean space pioneers and on the fulfilment of their work, which would eventually lead to the creation of ESA. 

Proceedings in SHIP
News on opening

 

Ariane flights in commemorative postage stamps

Commemorative postage stamps, envelopes, cachets, postmarks and first day covers produced for the ESA Philatelic Club for various ESA flights and programmes - the majority for Ariane flights, but some other examples for Columbus or other projects.

Browse the collection in the SHIP database, using the search term ‘stamps’
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55 years of ESRIN - relive the foundation ceremony on 27 September 1968!

Today home to ESA’s Earth observation activities, ESRIN was established in the mid 1960s. The ceremony to lay its foundation stone took place on 27 September 1968, becoming the formal date for the creation of ESRIN.

Browse the ESRIN foundation material using the search term 'foundation' in the SHIP database
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SHIP's Image Viewer

You can also enter the SHIP database directly using the link below.

Once you have selected an document, SHIP’s image viewer allows you to select your preferred viewing mode for it by clicking the 'image viewer' icon on the right of the top header bar.