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 22 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 topicNovember 2, a Rokot will launch from Plesetsk, North of Russia, two ESA satellites: SMOS (Soil Mosture and Ocean Salinity Satellite) for learning more about our planet and Proba-2 (Project for On Board Autonomy), a small satellite part of an ESA programme to achieve in orbit demonstration of innovative technologies. Thanks to Proba new ideas can be tested that could not be embarked on operational classic missions. This small satellite represents a low cost approach which prepares future payloads in all areas.