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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Video clip showing the pre-launch GO/NOGO roll call in the Main Control Room at ESOC, ESA's Space Operations Centre, Darmstadt, Germany, 13 December 2013. The roll call was conducted by the Flight Director, Andreas Rudolph, just prior to the Centre declaring itself ready to support the liftoff of Gaia, which took place at 09:12UT/10:12CET. ESOC teams will provide full-time operations and tracking support for Gaia during its five-year star-mapping mission.