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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Timelapse video showing Schiaparelli, the entry, descent and landing demonstrator module of the ExoMars 2016 mission, being mated with the Trace Gas Orbiter on 12 February in the Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. The spacecraft are now in their launch configuration and will remain united until 16 October, when Schiaparelli will separate from the orbiter to descend to the surface of Mars on 19 October. Launch is planned for the 14-25 March launch window.
For more information about the spacecraft mating, see: United they stand – Trace Gas Orbiter and Schiaparelli are joined
For more information about ExoMars, see: esa.int/exomars