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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After more than four years in orbit, mapping the Earth’s gravity, ESA’s GOCE mission is coming to an end. Due to run out of fuel in mid-October, the sleek satellite will begin a natural descent towards the Earth. Most of the spacecraft will burn up in the atmosphere but its re-entry will be closely monitored from the ground. GOCE – or Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer – was the first of ESA’s Earth Explorer missions and has significantly improved our understanding of the Earth’s gravitational field.