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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An International Space Station solar wing catches the Sun as the orbital outpost flies over Earth as daytime arrives. This image was taken by ESA astronaut André Kuipers during his six-month PromISSe mission in 2012. Astronauts on the Station experience around 16 sunrises and sunsets each day as they circle Earth at 28 000 km/h.