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 topicVenus Express will make unprecedented studies of the largely unkown phenomena taking place in the Venusian atmosphere. Its suit of instruments will also dig into the interaction between the solar wind and the planetary environment. Finally, the mission will gather glimpses about the planet's surface, striclty coupled with the dense atmosphere.