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 topicAn Ariane 5 solid-propellant booster was test-fired on 24 May at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana to help improve the reliability of Europe’s heavy launcher. The motor burned for about 135 seconds, simulating the firing time during an Ariane 5 flight, and delivered a mean thrust of 700 t. The performance curve is shown on the left: plotted is the thrust of the motor versus the time following ignition.
This firing is part of the Ariane 5 Research and Technology Accompaniment (ARTA) programme, designed to validate modifications for the next production batch of boosters to be flown.