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 topicVega, ESA's new launch vehicle, is ready to operate alongside the Ariane 5 and Soyuz launchers, after its successful qualification flight on 13 February 2012 from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
With Vega extending the family of launchers available at the spaceport, Europe now covers the full range of launch needs, from small science and Earth observation satellites, to the largest missions like ESA's supply freighter to the International Space Station, the Automated Transfer Vehicle.
More background information can be found on: http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Vega/index.html