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 topicESA's Missions to Mars. There are many reasons to explore the other planets and the smaller bodies in our Solar System. Studying these may actually give us answers on questions about the history of our own Earth. This 4.51 minute video, made prior to the launch of ESA's Mars Express in June 2003, describes the role of the Beagle 2 lander and the oribiter. Unfortunately, the Beagle 2 lander was declared lost after it failed to make contact with orbiting spacecraft and Earth-based radio telescopes. The Mars Express orbiter with its scientific payload of 7 instruments, is still sending images and data back to Earth.
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