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 topicAre dark spots on Mars a sign of life? Images from the Mars Orbital Camera on NASA's Mars Global Surveyor appear to show dark spots which appear near the south pole of Mars in early spring ('slice' on left). According to a group of Hungarian scientists these spots may be a sign of life on Mars.
(This composite image shows a Mars Orbital Camera image superimposed on a Hubble image of Mars. It is intended to be illustrative rather than scientifically accurate.)
ESA 2002. Illustration by Medialab ©