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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The drop test model of ESA's IXV spaceplane, making a big splash at the Sunday 4 October 2015 ESTEC Open Day. This replica was used to test the splashdown procedure ahead of the real 2014 space mission. A flotation balloon is visible to the right – note also the signatures on the IXV body from its various team members.
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