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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Following the loss of the four Cluster science satellites in the failure of the Ariane 501 launch on 4 June 1996, four replacements are planned for launch in 2000 to study the interaction of the solar wind with Earth's magnetosphere. The first is already built using spares from the first four. It is shown with the payload removed in preparation for storage until it is required. [Image Date: 1997/05] [97.12.008-001]