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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Venus, a planet of unusual brightness and the only one in the solar system with a clockwise rotation, has long stimulated the curiosity of mankind.
It is very similar to Earth in terms of size and density, but is completely inhospitable due to the high levels of carbon dioxide, high atmospheric pressure and an extremely high ground temperature.
Venus and the Earth are approximately at the same distance from the Sun: this means that they both probably once had a similar composition and moderate enough temperatures to host life billions of years ago. What happened to Venus, and why is it so different from Earth where the presence of liquid water and the comparatively mild climate are ideal for the conditions of life?
Venus Express is providing scientists with new data on the Earth’s twin planet, giving crucial insights as to why the two planets evolved so differently. The detection of heavy water in the atmosphere of Venus opens new doors to understand if water was present in the past, and how much of it has escaped.