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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An experimental flock of miniature CubeSats has survived the unexpected loss of its leader to begin monitoring water quality across Spain and Portugal. Named ANSER – from the Latin for the wild goose – these shoebox-sized satellites not only fly in formation like birds but also employ wing-like deployable flaps and solar panels to perform manoeuvres on a fuel-free basis, moving against the scarce air molecules found at the very top of the atmosphere. The satellites seen here are visualised using VTS (Visualization Tool for Space data) software which is licenced freeware owned by French space agency CNES and developed by the Spacebel company in Belgium.