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
Go to topicThank you for liking
You have already liked this page, you can only like it once!
ESA's Huygens probe is ready for attaching to NASA's Cassini Orbiter in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) at Cape Canaveral. The completed spacecraft was transferred to the launch pad on 22 August 1997 but was returned to the PHSF 7 September for Huygens to be opened and cleaned after on-pad air conditioning damaged thermal insulation. The reassembled spacecraft was returned to the pad 14 September and was successfully launched 15 October 1997. [Image Date: 21-07-97] [97.08.005-024]