The agency is notable for coordinating the first space flight of an Austrian, that of engineer Franz Viehböck with a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft, during 1990.

Austrian delegates coordinated with international counterparts to formulate numerous early treaties and establish laws related to the use of space.

In May 1962, the Austrian Astronautical Society was established to launch scale model rockets with a vision towards future programmes.

[1] Between 1967 and 1972, the society represented Austria at the International Astronautical Federation, ceasing in this role following its replacement by the Austrian Space Agency.

Following the establishment of the Federal Ministry for Science and Research in 1970, a task force to realise the envisioned agency was put together.

[1] Other Austrian-Soviet cooperative efforts resulted in Austria developing numerous scientific instruments for probes, leading to its involvement in a range of missions.