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 topicLaunched in September 2003, Europe's first lunar probe Smart-1 has been a rewarding mission and came to an end on 3 September 2006 at 05:41 GMT when it made a small controlled impact on the lunar surface. Astronomical observatories in several countries observed the impact. This Programme provides a pre-event review of the scientific and technological achievements of Smart-1, plus new 3-D graphics on the planned end-of mission through a controlled impact on the Moon.