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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ESA's Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) is the world's first true astronomical observatory in space operating at infrared wavelengths. Astronomers can choose specific targets in the sky and point ISO towards them for up to 10 h at a time to make observations with versatile instruments of unprecedented sensitivity. During its lifetime of more than 2 years, ISO is observing all classes of astronomical objects, ranging from planets and comets in our own solar system, right out to the most distant galaxies. [Image Date: 23-10-95] [95.10.008-001]