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 Discovery & Preparation elements of ESA's Discovery, Preparation and Technology Development (DPTD) activities carry out preparatory analysis and lay the groundwork for ESA’s short- to medium-term future activities.
Discovery & Preparation activities explore a wide diversity of topics that run across the entire spectrum of ESA’s focus areas. Each one typically lasts one to two years and the results are used by ESA and its Member States to make decisions about the implementation of new programmes and the future direction of space activities.
ESA Preparation performs mission feasibility studies that provide ESA Member States and the scientific community with the necessary information for the selection of new mission concepts, as well as for the approval and funding of new optional programmes. It also performs internal mission concept assessments via the Concurrent Design Facility (CDF).