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 main telecommunications initiative is the ARTES (Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems) programme. ARTES constitutes a very flexible tool that allows ESA member states and the Agency to perform their respective roles in an optimal manner. Each element within the ARTES programme is geared to progress the technological base behind European and Canadian space industry, forming the foundation for new telecommunications applications. ARTES has already proven to be a robust and flexible legal framework that allows quick responses to the needs of industry. The ARTES initiative is comprised of a wide number of activities, ranging from market studies and competitivity analyses to full system development and technology led activities. ARTES is divided into a number of elements, each of which has a distinct purpose and a different programmatic declaration. In this manner different modalities of participation can be incorporated within the programme. New elements are generated in response to market requirements. This 5 minute A-roll gives an overview to ESA?s 21st century satellite communications strategy and is complemented by a longer B-roll with clean international sound