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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Teams at Mission Control match the needs of ESA missions with the perfect rocket. The choice of rocket depends primarily on the mass of the payload and where it needs to go.
The further from Earth a spacecraft needs to be lifted, and the more massive it is, the more fuel that is needed.
To the Moon and beyond
The minimum velocity required to get beyond Earth’s gravitational sphere of influence is 11.2 km per second, after which point spacecraft engines and planetary flybys are used to reach deep space destinations.
The mighty Ariane 64 can accelerate 6900 kg (or a large orca) to this important speed.
To geostationary transfer orbit
Most communication and weather satellites live about 36 000 km above Earth’s equator in geostationary orbit - from where they appear to hover unmoving above our heads.
The Ariane 62 can lift 5000 kg (or an Asian elephant) to the geostationary transfer orbit, and the Ariane 64, 11 500 kg (or a whale shark), from where spacecraft boost themselves into geostationary orbit.
Orbiting near Earth
Most human-made objects in space reside in low-Earth orbit, from 100 km to 2000 km above Earth’s surface.
The nimble Vega-C can carry 2250 kg (or a hippopotamus) to this crowded zone, while the Ariane 62 can lift up to 10 300 kg (or an African elephant) and the mighty Ariane 64 a whopping 21 600 kg (or a small grey whale).