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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Swarm is ESA’s first Earth observation constellation of satellites. In 2013, the trio of satellites will be launched together on a Rockot launcher from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia. Two will orbit in tandem at the same altitude – initially at about 460 km – while the third satellite will be in a higher orbit of 530 km and at a slightly different inclination.