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 topic5 March 2002: The Hubble space telescope. New rigid arrays were installed. The 'living', flexible structures of the European built arrays are easily seen. These solar panels have by far exceeded the expectations, both in terms of lifetime (65% longer life than specified) and in terms of performance (10% more output power than the expected).