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 first satellites of the Galileo constellation, Europe's own navigation system, will be launched by pair on a Soyuz from French Guyane later this year. Four satellites are currently being prepared in Europe for what is called the in orbit validation phase: a full scale demonstration of what will be Galileo with 4 satellites on orbit working together with deidcated ground infrastructure. One of these satellites model was recently tested at ESA test facilities at ESTEC in the Netherlands.