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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Technicians in the tunnels of Ariane 6 launch pad.
Built and operated by France’s space agency CNES, the launch complex at the Ariane 6 launch zone – called ELA4 – was built from the ground up at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. Building on the success and lessons learnt from the previous launch zones, the new infrastructure allows for quick processing and a launch cadence of one Ariane 6 a month and has been designed to lessen the site's carbon footprint and preserve local natural resources.
Underground, several hundred metres of pipes and cables are laid to provide water, propellant, electricity and data connections to the launch pad.