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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Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana is preparing for Ariane 6.
This 90 metre-high metallic structure is the mobile gantry; it weighs 8200 tonnes – more than a thousand tonnes heavier than France's Eiffel Tower. It has been moved along its rails from the retracted position to over the launch pad. In this position its platforms provide engineers access to the launch vehicle for integration on the launch pad.
Ariane 6 is fully protected until the mobile gantry is retracted about five hours before launch.