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 topicEutelsat Quantum is a pioneering mission that will influence how telecom satellites are procured and manufactured in Europe.
It is a shift from custom-designed, one-off payloads to a more generic approach, resulting in unprecedented in-orbit reconfigurability in coverage, frequency and power, allowing complete mission rehaul, including orbital position. It is a partnership between ESA and Eutelsat, with Airbus as the prime contractor.
All partners designed this programme in response to today's market requiring satellites to be able to respond to changes in geographical or performance demand either during manufacturing or after launch. This would enable the operator, Eutelsat, to address emerging business opportunities even after having ordered a satellite.