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 22 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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Since 1979, Europe has had its own access to space with the highly successful series of Ariane launchers. Today’s Ariane 5 has a greater capacity and can carry several satellites at a time, placing payloads of up to 10 tons towards geostationary orbit, and 20 tons into a Low Earth Orbit.
To maintain the competitiveness of Ariane 5 in the commercial market, ESA
is preparing a more powerful and versatile version of the launcher, Ariane 5 Mid-life Evolution. This vehicle will respond to the need for heavier payload and reignition capabilities for more complex mission.
This modernised version of Ariane 5 will replace current ones within the next decade.