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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Vega poised for liftoff with the mobile gantry retracted from the launch pad at Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana on 16 August 2021.
Vega awaits flight VV19 with Earth observation satellite Pléiades Neo-4 and four auxiliary payloads: SunStorm, RadCube and LEDSAT developed through ESA, and BRO-4.
In the foreground is the flame trench which channels the exhaust away from the launch pad at liftoff. To the left is the mobile gantry which was retracted before launch. Four lightning masts surround the launch pad. Vega stands poised for launch and is kept topped up with fuel and ready for launch via umbilicals which detach at the moment of liftoff.