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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Sketch of Ulysses' third solar orbit. The spacecraft, launched in 1990, made its first polar passes in 1994 (south) and 1995 (north), near solar minimum. It made the second set of polar passes in 2000 and 2001, at the height of solar activity. On 17 November 2006, the spacecraft started its third passage over the Sun's south pole.