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 shipment from France to Kazakhstan was made by three Antonov AN 124/100 cargo aircraft. The first carried 12 containers of equipment needed to prepare the satellite for launch, the second carried the MetOp-B satellite plus six containers and the third flight carried the solar array along with 10 more containers of equipment. The shipments were transported from the airfield to the Baikonur Cosmodrome by train. Bad weather caused difficulties for all three flights. The flight carrying the satellite was held up in Moscow for three days because of snow.