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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A committee of planetary scientists identified Saturn’s moon Enceladus as the most compelling target for ESA's next 'large-class' space science mission, to follow in the footsteps of Juice, LISA and NewAthena (ESA's newest large-class missions).
No space agency has ever landed on little Enceladus. And yet it has enormous potential for new science, particularly in the realm of habitability. The plumes that spew through its icy crust are rich in organic compounds, some of which are key for life. The ocean also seems to hold a powerful source of chemical energy that could fuel living organisms.
The impact of such a mission could be enormous. It would offer Europe – once more – a unique front seat in Solar System science.