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 topicThank you for liking
You have already liked this page, you can only like it once!
Planted in tribute to European astronauts who have flown to space, these trees at ESA’s European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, serve as a living legacy of European spaceflight. Each tree represents a mission from the ESA astronaut classes of 2009 and 2022, symbolising growth, exploration and the enduring connection between Earth and space. New trees are added prior to an ESA astronaut’s journey beyond our planet.