Payload Provision to the ESA Science Programme

Abstract

We have collected data pertaining to the Principal Investigators (PIs), and co-PIs (where appropriate) for all ESA-led Science Directorate missions since the first such launch, namely of COS-B in 1975. For a total of 28 missions (including 4 in preparation awaiting launch), 437 individuals have been recorded along with their institution, location, “academic age” and gender. We have correlated the number of PIs by country with the financial contribution of those countries to the ESA Science programme. We have also investigated issues associated with age and gender of the PIs. As a result of these analyses, we make suggestions for actions which ESA and its Member States may wish to consider with the aim of encouraging equity and diversity while still placing scientific excellence as the overarching goal.