The ESRO II Satellite is due to be the first satellite to be launched as part of the joint co-operative programme between NASA and the European Space Research Organisation and as such, represents the first endeavour by the latter organisation to bring together various experiments in a satellite. While it is true to say that other satellites have been produced in Europe, this is the first integrated payload involving experiments from different countries to be realised in Europe.

The paper describes briefly the satellite and details the scientific experiments. The remainder of the paper is concerned with the aspects of project management involving four different nations and the technical programme.