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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The Envisat Payload Module after completion of thermal testing in the Large Space Simulator at ESTEC in August 1999. Envisat is the largest and most complex satellite ever built in Europe. Its package of 10 instruments is designed to make major contributions to the global study and monitoring of the Earth, such as global warming, climate change, ozone depletion, and ocean and ice monitoring. Launch of the 8-tonne Envisat on its 5-year mission is planned on an Ariane-5 from Kourou, French Guiana in late 2000. [Image Date: 01-09-99] [99.09.005-021]