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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Mars may once have been much more like Earth, with conditions suitable for life. The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter is making the most detailed inventory of the martian atmosphere to date, while ESA’s Rosalind Franklin rover mission will search for evidence of past and present life on the Red Planet thanks to its drill – the first one to dig two metres below the martian surface – and scientific instruments.
ESA and international partners are also planning to bring Mars rocks back to Earth through the Mars Sample Return mission – the next step in the robotic exploration of Mars in preparation of possible human missions.