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 topicIn a rare celestial spectacle, two comets were observed plunging into the Sun's atmosphere in close succession, on 1 and 2 June 2000. This unusual event on Earth's own star was followed on 2 June 2000 by a likely unrelated but also dramatic ejection of solar gas and magnetic fields on the south-west (or lower right) limb of the Sun.