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 topicHigh-speed communication links with ESA support
German start-up company ViaLight Communications’s laser system transmits large amounts of data from aircraft to ground 100 km away.
Here, the enthusiastic team presents their Micro Laser Communication Terminal for aircraft using technology from research at the Germany Aerospace Center DLR.
ViaLight Communications was founded in 2009 through ESA Technology Transfer Programme’s Business Incubation Centre Bavaria.