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 topicTaking advantage of Mars's closest approach to Earth in eight years, astronomers using NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope took the then sharpest views of the Red Planet in 1999. The telescope's Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 snapped this image Mars when it was only 87 million kilometres from Earth. From this distance the telescope could see features as small as 19 kilometres wide. If you were travelling with Mars Express, this is the view you might have a few days before arrival at a distance of several thousand kilometres.
This image is centred on the dark feature known as Syrtis Major, first seen by the astronomer Christian Huygens in the 17th century. Clearly visible are the icy north and south poles, and along the right limb, late afternoon clouds have formed around the volcano Elysium.
Quote: Five days before entering final orbit, Mars Express will be on a collision course with the planet.
- John Reddy