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 animation shows the charged particles (that make the solar wind) constantly flowing and hitting the upper layers of the Venusian atmosphere. Venus Express will study the effects of the solar wind on the venusian space environment. It will also gather clues about atmospheric escape processes in a planet that does not have the protection of a planetary magnetic field.