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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ESA and Arianespace representatives visit the Soyuz Launch Zone, on 10 September 2015.
From left: Patrick Loire, Arianespace Vice President in French Guiana, Programmes Directorate; Gaele Winters, ESA’s Director of Launchers; Fernando Doblas, Head of the ESA Communication Department; Jan Wörner, ESA Director General; Joel Donadel, Head of the ESA Kourou Office; Franco Bonacina, spokesperson for the ESA Director General.
The next two satellites in Europe’s Galileo satellite navigation system will be launched together on 11 September, taking its orbital constellation a step closer to initial services.
Galileo satellites 9-10 are scheduled to lift off at 02:08 GMT on 11 September 2015 (04:08 CEST; 23:08 local time, 10 September 2015) from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on top of a Soyuz rocket. They are expected to become operational, after initial in-orbit testing, later in the autumn.