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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With the launch date of 9 September 2009 confirmed by Eurockot Launch Services, the SMOS satellite has come out of storage at Thales Alenia Space's facilities in Cannes, France. The SMOS team are now beginning to make preparations for the Flight Acceptance Review on 25 May, which should give the all-important 'green light' to ship to the launch site in Russia.