On: BepiColombo’s First Views of Mercury

[SiempreViernes]

ESA funding isn't really politicised that way since it's a international organisation and no single politician can get their names on things.

[adolph → SiempreViernes]

All Member States contribute to these programmes on a scale based on their Gross National Product (GNP). The other programmes, known as ‘optional’, are only of interest to some Member States, who are free to decide on their level of involvement.

https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Corporate_news/Funding

[dotancohen → SiempreViernes]

Good thing that Giuseppe Colombo wasn't a politician!