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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Humans are preparing to go beyond low Earth orbit. The Moon has long been a prime exploration target. A permanent presence on the Moon would open up new opportunities and provide a test bed and springboard to venture further into the Solar System.
European technology will fly to the moon on Russia’s Luna-27 mission to prospect resources for future human exploration. ESA is developing a precision landing and hazard avoidance system, and a drilling and sample analysis package.
International partnership envisions a Lunar Gateway that enables humankind to access cis-lunar space, the near-Moon region. This is an ideal hub to reach the lunar surface, as well as a great testing ground for habitation systems and technologies.
ESA is working with the Canadian and Japanese space agencies to prepare the Heracles robotic mission to the Moon. Using Lunar Gateway as a halfway point, a robotic rover will scout the terrain and deliver lunar samples to Earth.