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 topicThis image shows Saturn as seen from NASA's Cassini spacecraft, on 9 November 2003, when it was about 111 million kilometres from the planet. The view offered by this photo is very different from the one we can get from Earth: it shows Saturn's dark side! As Cassini approaches its target, its vision of Saturn's atmosphere and rings will sharpen dramatically. Once it has arrived, in July 2004, Cassini will begin to study the Saturn system, effectively becoming its first artificial moon.
In January 2005, Cassini will approach Titan, Saturn's largest natural moon, and will release in its atmosphere ESA's Huygens probe. Huygens will descend down to the surface of Titan, studying the complex organic chemistry at work on it, and may provide clues on how life began on Earth.