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 topicThe upcoming launch on May 11 of Shuttle Atlantis marks the start of the long-awaited final servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. After being scrapped following safety concerns in the wake of the Columbia tragedy, then reinstated in 2006 by NASA, this repair flight was scheduled for last September before problems of the space telescope forced a last minute cancellation.
With the mission now possible again, the seven astronauts will, on five spacewalks, fit new science instruments, repair others and service the space telescope so that it can continue operating until at least 2014. Already proud of its achievements, NASA and ESA expect that the Hubble Telescope will be delivering even more valuable insights into the Universe.