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 future of ESA Moon exploration as imagined by illustrator Ale Giorgini. ESA will play a crucial role in future Moon exploration. Technical proficiency based on decades of building spacecraft and components in Europe has resulted in the structures and technology that will ferry the next generation of astronauts to the Moon with three service modules for NASA’s Artemis missions. The Orion spacecraft will first fly an uncrewed mission beyond the Moon during the Artemis 1 mission. The Artemis 2 and Artemis 3 missions will see astronauts travel into lunar orbit on board the Orion spacecraft, powered by European service modules. Planned missions for future lunar exploration include the next orbital station built through international collaboration. The Gateway will orbit around the Moon, providing a station from which humans and robots can explore the Moon's environment ESA will provide essential modules for Gateway Meanwhile here on Earth, the Luna facility at ESA’s astronaut centre will offer world class facilities for lunar related research and training.