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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The first Galileo In-Orbit Validation satellite landed at Cayenne Rochambeau Airport in French Guiana on 7 September 2011. Known as Flight Model 2, FM2, it took off by Antonov transport from Thales Alenia Space Italy's Rome facility where it was built. A second IOV satellite, called the Proto-Flight Model, PFM, will soon join it: the two will fly together into orbit on a shared Soyuz ST-B launcher.