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 topicWhile Roberto Vittori will take part in STS 134 mission marking Endeavour's last flight and the retirement of the Space Shuttles it's time to look back at the Shuttle's achievements and its cooperation with the European Space Agency Indeed in 30 years the Shuttle cargo bay accomodated several ESA missions such as Spacelab, allowing science on orbit. The Shuttle also carried Ulysses for probing the sun. Later different European elements were sent for building the ISS such as the Columbus module.