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 topic29.09.02 Children smile for the camera while their friends and parents queue for water behind. Water is scarce as the yearly cleaning of the water pipes in the city of Baikonur is being carried out. Baikonur is the name of the city near to the cosmodrome in Kazakhstan where the Integral spacecraft is due to be launched on 17 October, 2002.