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 Soyuz launch site at Europe's Spaceport is 13 km northwest of the Ariane launch site and consists of three main zones: the launch platform, the preparation area , where the three stages are assembled horizontally and checked, and the launch control centre.
With a launch location close to the equator, Soyuz has an improved performance and is able to carry up to 3 tonnes into geostationary transfer orbit from Europe's Spaceport, compared to the 1.7 tonnes that can be launched from the traditional site in Baikonur, Kazakhstan.