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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An artist's impression of the Huygens probe entering the upper layers of Titan's atmosphere at 22 000 kilometres per hour. It slows to about 1400 kilometres per hour in less than two minutes, thanks to the friction of the front heatshield with the atmospheric gas.
The temperature of the gas in the shock wave in front of the heatshield may reach 12 000°C, with the shield itself reaching 1800°C.