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 Vulcain Mk2 engine was developed to power the Ariane 5E upgrade. Derived from the previous Vulcain, the thrust was increased from 1145 kN to 1350 kN at sea level. In October 1995, ESA's Ministerial Council in Toulouse, France, formally approved the Ariane 5 Evolution programme to improve the vehicle's geostationary transfer orbit performance from 5.97 tonnes to 7.4 tonnes. The first Ariane 5E launch was planned for May 2002.