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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One of Ariane-503's two solid-propellant EAP boosters was recovered from the Atlantic and returned to the Kourou launch site for inspection. Although the boosters are not reusable, it is expected that two sets will be recovered each year to check their condition. The second Ar-503 booster broke in half at about 10km altitude and sank without deploying its parachutes. Ar-505's boosters are the next planned for retrieval. Ar-503 was launched at 16 [Image Date: 1998/11] [99.02.010-002]