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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A Delta IV Heavy rocket with NASA’s Orion spacecraft lifted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space Launch Complex, USA, at 07:05 local time 5 December 2014.
The Orion spacecraft orbited Earth twice before landing in the Pacific Ocean. No one was aboard Orion for this flight test, but the spacecraft is designed to allow us to journey to destinations never before visited by humans, including an asteroid and Mars.
ESA is supplying the service module that will power the first two exploration missions sending Orion further into space than any human being has ever been.