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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Andrea Marcolongo was a judge in the #NameTheMission competition, to find a new name for ESA's upcoming spacecraft to monitor the Sun, formerly known as Lagrange. The winning name ESA 'Vigil', resonated with the judges as it captured the mission's role – as a devoted guardian, keeping constant watch over the Sun, for Earth.
Andrea is an Italian writer and journalist. Currently living in Paris, she graduated in Classical Studies at the University of Milan and is the author of “The Ingenious Language: Nine Epic Reasons to Love Greek”; “The Heroic Measure”, about the myth of the Argonauts; “At the source of the words”, a compendium of ninety-nine etymologies and “Starting from Scratch. The life-changing lesson of Aeneas”.