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 topicAlthough the team have already practised the tricky manoeuvre of lifting IXV out of the ocean they will continue to hone their skills under a wide range of conditions on their journey to the Pacific Ocean.
The Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV) will splashdown in the Pacific after its experimental mission to test the technologies and critical systems for Europe’s future automated reentry vehicles returning from low orbit.