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 topicFive days before reaching Mars in December 2003, the Mars Express will eject the Beagle 2 Lander which will head for the Martian surface. Beagle 2 is here seen in action at ILA2002 in Berlin, with the unfolded solar cells and the robotic arm running the environmental sensors investigating the ‘surface of Mars’ and doing very detailed rock and soil analysis.