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 distance from Earth is not always the same – it varies because the lunar orbit is not circular, but elliptical. On average, you could fit our planet 30 times between Earth and the Moon.
Image description: Moon distance from Earth. Closest is 356 400 km away, farthest at 406 700 km.