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 topicUltraviolet glow in gas beyond the Sun (12 April 2001) as seen by SWAN on SOHO
Activity on the Sun's far side (left) is revealed by the glow of hydrogen gas in space, lit by ultraviolet rays from the Sun and detected by SWAN on SOHO. It is charted as if observed from a position beyond the Sun. This view joins with a corresponding impression of near-side activity (right) to cover the whole sky. The Sun's rotation carries the activity from left to right in both images. Black areas are regions not observed by SWAN. The white glow on the far side of the Sun is due to the active region AR 9393, host to the largest sunspot group in 10 years.