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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This conceptual image shows the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS), launched on 15 September 1991 by the space shuttle Discovery. Originally designed for a three-year mission, UARS measured chemical compounds found in the ozone layer, wind and temperature in the stratosphere and the energy input from the Sun. Together, these measurements helped define the role of Earth's upper atmosphere in climate and climate variability. The 35-ft-long, 15-ft-diameter UARS was decommissioned on 14 December 2005 and underwent a destructive reentery during the night of 23/24 September 2011.