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 topicTraffic jams on roads in Europe are becoming more frequent every year. A new systems is being tested at the Vasco da Gama Bridge just outside Lisbon in Portugal, the Active Road Management Assisted by Satellite (ARMES) system. The system monitors vehicles via EGNOS, the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service, that enhanced the service provided by GPS. It provides higher precision and continuity of service. The ARMES system will also facilitates automatic toll billing with the result of saving time and end to long queues to pay road and bridge toll. The system supports also that the driver (in a car) can send emergency requests to a control centre. The future is the Galileo navigation system which can provide road support and greater safety.