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 22 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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There are over 3000 confirmed planets outside our Solar System. In 2018 these exoplanets will come under further scrutiny when the CHEOPS (CHaracterising ExoPlanet Satellite) mission launches from the European spaceport in French Guiana. ESA’s CHEOPS space telescope, in partnership with Switzerland, will measure the transits of known exoplanets and, together with the ESPRESSO instrument at the University of Geneva, help identify other Earth-like planets in our Solar System.