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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On January 15th 1991, the Ariane V41 launch carried the Italsat1 and Eutelsat 11F2 satellites into space. This video gives an overview of the launch operations, containing footage as follows - various shots of the operations room and pre-launch assembly; split-screen views of the cryogenic arms; countdown, cryogenic arms move away; ignition and lift-off; tracking graph superimposed over launch room, SRB burnout and separation; animation of satellite deployment, control room as various stage separations occur followed by satellite deployment, applause; animations to show flight of Eutelsat.