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 topicThank you for liking
You have already liked this page, you can only like it once!
Sunset seen from the International Space Station - this photo was taken by a member of the Expedition 13 crew in August 2006.
The photo shows an example of sunlight being scattered in the atmosphere by molecules (Rayleigh scattering). Blue light is scattered the most and red light is scattered the least, so red light is more evident when the Sun is setting on the horizon.