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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Artist's impression of the Venus Express orbit insertion, to take place on 11 April 2006. In this phase of the mission, the most challenging since launch, the spacecraft's main engine will have to burn for about 50 minutes, to reduce its speed with respect to Venus so that the spacecraft can be captured by the planet's gravitation.