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 topicMore than 300 years ago Isaac Newton pointed out that a powerful cannon on a hilltop could shoot a ball right around the world and back to its starting point - if only there were no air to resist it. At every moment, the ball falls towards the ground but it gets no closer because the Earth is round. The speed of the ball to accomplish this feat is 7.9 kilometres per second (more than 28,000 km/h) and 84.4 minutes elapse before an unwary gunner is hit on the back of his head.