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 last May, ESA's Herschel Space Observatory has been preparing for the start of routine operations, due early November. Although first images from the three science instruments have been obtained - with spectacular results - a lot of calibration and fine- tuning has been required to optimise all future observations. Several thousand astronomers are counting on this new infrared and far infrared window on the Universe to better understand, for example, the formation of stars and galaxies. This A & B-roll recaps on the Herschel status and features the results of the first test observations last June with interviews of ESA mission management and instrument scientists.