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!
The Vulcain Mk2 engine is being developed to power the Ariane-5E upgrade. Derived from the current Vulcain, the thrust is being increased from 1145 kN to 1350 kN at sea level. The photograph shows the new liquid oxygen turbopump, which must cope with the increased flow rate. ESA's Ministerial Council meeting at Toulouse, France in October 1995 formally approved the Ariane-5 Evolution programme primarily to improve the vehicle's geostationary transfer orbit performance from 5.97t to 7.4t. The first Ariane-5E launch is planned for May 2002. [Image Date: 1998] [98.09.018-002]