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 topicThis coming October a new page will be written in the book of space activities: for the first time a Soyuz rocket will lift off from Europe's Space port in French Guiana. It will place into orbit the first pair of operational satellites in Europe's Galileo system, opening the road to a full constellation providing positioning and navigation services.
ESA TV starts its coverage of this important milestone with a full series of stories. This video recalls what Soyuz has achieved in the conquest of the Cosmos, from the first Sputnik to Yuri Gagarin, and now from Baikonur to the Centre Spatial Guyanais. It is not only the history of a rocket but also the history of cooperation between Russia and Europe.
This A & B-Roll presents this legendary launcher, the most used and reliable rocket in the world. With over 1700 flights from launch pads at Baïkonur, in the Kazahstan desert, and Plesetsk, in northern Russia, it will now be operated from French Guiana.