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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The ESA patch for the Agency's Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety (Ramses). Ramses will launch in 2028 and intercept the 375 m asteroid Apophis before it makes an incredibly rare, very close but entirely safe flyby of Earth in April 2029. The patch depicts the Ramses spacecraft observing Apophis as the asteroid safely passes Earth over Europe. During the night of 13 April 2029, Apophis could appear like a new star in the sky to as many as two billion people in Europe, Africa and parts of Asia, depending on local light pollution and weather conditions.