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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This impressive view - taken with a fisheye camera lens - shows the Ariane 5 ECA on its launch table. The heavy-lift version of Ariane 5 has a payload capacity to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) of 9600 kg, compared to 6700 kg for the Ariane 5 Generic configuration currently in operation.