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 topicThis artist's impression shows the NASA Comet Nucleus Tour (Contour) spacecraft. After a 1 July 2002 launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, United States, aboard a Delta II rocket, Contour will encounter at least two near-Earth comets, providing the closest and most detailed look ever at the rocky, icy nucleus of a comet.