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 first commercial telecommunications satellite that can be completely repurposed in orbit on board an Antonov cargo plane.
Developed under an ESA Partnership Project, Eutelsat Quantum will be able to respond to changing demands on Earth during its 15-year lifetime, providing data, communications and entertainment exactly where and when it is wanted.
Rather than broadcast to Earth with fixed beams, it will let people choose where to point their beams. These can move in virtual real time to provide information to passengers on-board moving planes or ships. The beams can also be adjusted at the push of a button, so that more data is delivered when demand surges.
The satellite was developed by ESA with operator Eutelsat and satellite manufacturers Airbus as the prime manufacturer and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd for the platform.