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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On 2 September 2020, Vega flight VV16 lifted off from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana to deliver 53 light satellites into two separate Sun-synchronous orbits demonstrating a new dispenser called the Small Spacecraft Mission Service, or SSMS.
Vega's SSMS rideshare missions will maximise the number of satellites on each launch thus lowering the cost per ridesharing customer. The SSMS can be used for a dedicated rideshare or to fit clusters of small satellites on the launch of a large satellite.