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
Go to topicAhead of its launch, Ariane 5 Flight VA211 is prepared at CSG, Europe's Spaceport, Kourou, French Guiana. Here the upper composite is transferred to the Final Assembly Building.
The heavy-lift Ariane 5 orbited the Mexsat Bicentenario telecommunications satellite for Mexico and the European Skynet 5D military relay platform on 19 December 2012. The launch is designated Flight VA211, signifying the 211th liftoff of an Ariane family vehicle from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.