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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Following its journey from Cannes, France, Sentinel-1C, the third satellite of the Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission, arrived in Kourou, French Guiana on 9 October 2024 in preparation for liftoff in December. Once Sentinel-1C had fully acclimatised for 24 hours, the transportation container was opened and the satellite moved to the cleanroom for testing. The photograph shows Sentinel-1C being put into a vertical position.