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
Go to topicImage shows the Mare Imbrium (or Sea of Showers), the largest of the lunar mare. It has a diameter of 1123 kilometres and is between 3700 million and 3900 million years old. Mountain ranges (montes) appear in the centre and bottom of the image. The three craters right of the centre are Archimedes, Autolycus, and Aristillus. In 1971, Apollo 15 landed on a site between these craters and the montes. The large crater with the detail in the middle shown in the top left-hand corner is Copernicus.