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 Sun is the source of life on Earth therefore we must understand how it works and affects our planet. Thanks to Space science we now have a better knowledge of the mechanisms inside the Sun and its effects on the Solar System: storms, winds, rays. ESA missions such as Soho and Clusters give us a full picture of our star and its influence on the Earth.This story recalls both missions and what scientists now understand about our Star.