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 inaugural Vega flight in Kourou is scheduled to take place within a window of a few days opening next 9 February. VEGA will lift off from its newly built Launch Site at the Guiana Space Centre. This Launch pad, built on the exact location of the first Ariane launches, is in fact not the only new facility at Europe's Spaceport. Other buildings and installations have been put in place to meet the needs of the new launch vehicle, which is designed to fly at least two times a year.