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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Wishing you all the best for Christmas 2023 and a happy new year! This is a very special holiday season for ESA’s Hera asteroid detective and her two CubeSats – Milani the rock decoder and Juventas the radar visionary – because this is the last one they will enjoy on planet Earth. This time next year the trio of friends will be off on their adventure to explore Didymos, a double asteroid system that is typical of the thousands that pose an impact risk to planet Earth.
Find out more about Hera and her CubeSats by watching our Incredible Adventures of the Hera Mission animated series, suitable for kids and adults alike. And keep track of Hera’s adventures in the new year: once their current testing for space is finished, Hera and her friends are due to lift off into space in October 2024!