The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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When Cassini reaches the vicinity of Saturn, a long burn of its engines will slow it down so that it is captured by the planet's gravitational field into an elliptical orbit. At the extreme point of this initial orbit, a manoeuvre will direct it to pass close to Titan, allowing the Huygens Probe to be released for descent into Titan's atmosphere after a 22-day coast. Cassini goes on to spend four years touring the Saturnian system. [Image Date: 1997-00-00] [97.06.001-004]