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
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At Europe’s spaceport in Kourou, French-Guiana, the last preparations are under way for the second launch of Vega, ESA’s light-weight launcher.This second Vega will be the first of five demonstration flights of the VERTA program, which stands for Vega research and technology accompaniment. Expectations are again high as this time Vega will carry multiple payloads to confirm its successful introduction to the launch market.