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
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Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are the most powerful explosions in the Universe. There are two theories about what causes them. Most GRBs are thought to come when giant stars in the early Universe burn up their supply of fuel and the centre of the star collapses into a black hole. As the rest of the star falls into the black hole, a tremendous burst of gamma rays is released into the Universe. The other theory is that two neutron stars collide, creating a black hole, and releasing a powerful blast of gamma rays. No one can predict where the next gamma-ray burst will come from, but one or two will erupt every day in the sky. They typically last only a few tens of seconds. Scientists expect about one GRB per month to appear in the direction that the spacecraft happens to be looking. These observations will help solve the mystery and study the precise mechanism by which individual gamma-ray bursts are created.