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
Go to topicAn explanation of the science and technology behind ESA's Infrared Space Observatory (ISO), prior to its launch in 1993. This 12 minute video includes: an explanation of how infrared astronomy works; the manufacture and design of the payload and service modules; testing in ESA's test centre at ESTEC (NL), and the purpose of the four scientific instruments. It contains the following interviews: Chris Jewell, ESA; Martin Kessler, ESA; Albert Seidel, MBB (German with English subtitles); Pierre Collet, Aerospatiale (French with English subtitles).