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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A rubble-strewn model of the Red Planet used to put prototype planetary rovers through their paces: officially known as the Automation & Planetary Robotics Laboratory, its nickname is the ‘Mars Yard’. An 8 x 8 m square filled with sand and different sizes of gravel and rocks, it is used to assess rover locomotion and navigation as well as the positioning of robotic arms – then check how these elements work together in practice.