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 topicThis video from 1990 presents the ESA/NASA mission Ulysses early in its mission. Computer animations are used to present its long journey and explain how and why the space probe takes measurements over the poles of the Sun. Together with a summary of the involvement of the different partners, the programme. Some early results as Ulysses passed by the southern pole of the Sun, are also shown. The film is organised into the following self-standing chapterst: OVERVIEW: general presentation of the mission. Why, how. Video released as Ulysses passed by the southern pole of the Sun. 1: WHY ULYSSES EXPLORES THE EMPIRE OF THE SUN. Flying over the poles. Mystery of the influence of the Sun on Earth. Images of the Sun and scientists working.How its role is to be complemented by the upcoming missions of SOHO and Cluster. 2: A MULTINATIONAL MISSION. Describes the multinational partners that worked to build the satellite, the ground system and presents the instruments, in which over 50 institutes are involved. 3: THE LONG JOURNEY INTO THE UNKNOWN. Footage of the launch by Space Shuttle Discovery, and animation of the slingshot manoeuvre required for Ulysses to reach its destination. ULYSSES ESCAPES FROM THE STORMS OF THE SUN. Some early results from the first part of Ulysses journey, mainly with the so-called.the ballerina skirt. 5: THE SUN'S BATTLE WITH THE COSMIC RAYS. 6. THE BREEZE FROM THE STARS, Ulysses begins to understand the origins of the solar wind. Animations explaining solar behaviour and cycles. 7. TO THE POLES AND BEYOND. The next phases of mission and what it hopes to find, how solar behaviour effects climate on Earthaim and a deeper understanding on how the Sun rules the surrounding space. The Ulysses mission was completed in 2009.