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 topicAnother area of innovative technology R&D is the development for use in scientific space missions of mini- and micro-robotics for planetary exploration. The micro-rover NANOKHOD built by the German company von Hoerner & Sulger GmbH (vH&S) for ESA's Technology and Research Programme illustrates the potential of European research and development. The NANOKHOD is can transport and operate scientific payload instruments in the vicinity of a planetary lander. With a total mass of roughly 3 kg (including payloads), the rover can accommodate as much as 1 kg of instrument payloads and can operate in extreme operating environments with temperatures as low as –170°C.