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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As part of the series of tests being carried out at Intespace in Toulouse, France, the Aeolus satellite has been given a ‘fit check’ to see that it can be connected to its Vega rocket. Aeolus will be launched from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana in the autumn of 2018. Carrying pioneering ultraviolet lasers, never before flown in space, Aeolus will provide slices through the world’s winds along with information on aerosols and clouds.