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 highly successful series of Ariane launchers, Europe has been able to benefit from independent access to space since 1979.
Modern life is increasingly dependent on services that rely on space-based technologies: Global communications, television, weather forecasts, Earth observation, positioning and navigation systems, security, prevention and management of natural and man-made disasters, have become part of our daily lives. These all require reliable, high-performance launch systems.
In this image Ariane 5 launches XMM-Newton, the biggest science satellite ever built in Europe, marking the first Ariane 5 commercial flight. December 1999.