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 topicAnimation illustrating the mission scenario for Europe's Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV). ATV launches from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. The 20.7 tonne ATV is well protected at the top of Ariane 5 during a three-minute high-pressure aerodynamic ascent. 100 minutes after lift-off, the ATV becomes a fully automatic spaceship navigating towards the International Space Station (ISS). The ATV uses its eye-like rendezvous sensors to dock precisely and safely with the ISS. ATV becomes an extension of the Station. The 45 m³ pressurised module delivers up to 7.2 tonnes of equipment, fuel, food, water and air for the crew. ATV uses up to 4.7 tonnes of propellant to raise the ISS altitude which naturally decreases with the residual atmospheric drag. After 6 months, ATV, loaded with 6.5 tonnes of waste, separates from ISS and fully burns out during a guided and controlled re-entry high over the Pacific Ocean.