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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Trajectory of the Skyvan aircraft during PARIS testing on 11 November 2011, overlaid with lines showing changes in the Gulf of Finland’s sea level due to geoid variations. The aircraft took off and landed at Helsinki International Airport, its trajectory planned to observe two specific high elevation GPS satellites. The trajectory was determined using data recorded by GPS stations on the coast as well as an inertial navigation system on the aircraft, to take account of turbulence.