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 topicDisruptive technologies are chosen for further investigation under an ESA initiative called FIRST! – Future Innovation Research in Space Transportation.
Through FIRST!, ESA intends to accelerate and derisk commercially attractive technologies through rapid prototyping and testing. This will stimulate and strengthen the growing commercial space economy in Europe. FIRST! is also an excellent example of ESA’s transformation described in Agenda 2025, to be bolder, more dynamic and quicker to interact with European start-ups and companies to help them to succeed.