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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David Southwood, ESA's Director of Science (right), and Antoine Bouvier, CEO of EADS Astrium (left), shake hands after the signature of the contract that ESA awarded the European company to develop and build the Gaia satellite. The ceremony was held in Toulouse on 11 May 2006.
The goal of Gaia, currently planned for launch in 2011, is to make the largest, most precise map of our own Galaxy to date.