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 topicIn preparation for the launch of Vega flight VV02, the Zefiro 9 solid fuel engine arrives at Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
The Zefiro 9 was derived from a 16-tonne solid rocket motor development (Zefiro 16) initiated by Fiat-Avio, now Avio S.p.A., with company funding and contracted by the Italian space agency ASI. The Zefiro-9 motor features include: a 1.9 m diameter carbon epoxy filament wound case; a low density EPDM insulation; HTPB 1912 composite propellant; a nozzle based on a flexible joint technology; a consumable igniter; and an electromechanical thrust vector control system.