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
Go to topicAn advanced broadband satellite that will provide high-speed internet connectivity from low Earth orbit has left OneWeb Florida Facilities to Vandenberg launch pad.
The beam-hopping satellite – nicknamed JoeySat after a baby kangaroo – will demonstrate connectivity for people travelling by air, sea or on land, and preparing for low latency 5G connectivity from space.
Its fully digital beam-hopping and beam-steering payload can switch the satellite capacity between different places on Earth up to 1000 times per second. The signal strength can also be adjusted to meet demand.
This will enable JoeySat to respond to real-time surges in commercial high-quality and low latency connectivity demands – or during emergencies such as natural disasters, with rapid deployment of 5G Mini Hubs connected to OneWeb communication network.