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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Since 1975 the European Space Agency, ESA, has been pooling the resources of its Member States and leading cooperation with other nations to build a European space capability, undertaking programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country.
ESA develops the space infrastructure needed to keep Europe at the forefront of global activities and plays a critical role in building a strong and competitive local industry.
ESA develops launchers, ground facilities and the technology to send satellites into space for Earth observation, navigation, telecommunications, and astronomy, sending probes to the far reaches of the Solar System, as well as cooperating in the human exploration of space and creating practical applications for space on Earth.
ESA has 22 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.Latvia and Slovenia are Associate Members. Canada takes part in certain programmes under a cooperation agreement.
ESA has signed European Cooperating States Agreements with Bulgaria, Cyprus, Lithuania and Slovakia, and cooperation agreements with Croatia and Malta.
A mosaic of Europe made up of ESA satellite images