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 introduction to ESRO, the European Space Research Organisation. Footage includes: missile on trolley, radar aerials, sounding rocket launch; diagram to show 10 participating nations; Pierre Auger, one of ESRO's founders; Herman Bondi, his successor; final preparation of sounding rocket before launch; stills of Northern Lights; satellite design and testing; map to show distribution of various headquarters; various satellite research, construction by [unspecified] European contractors; map to show distribution of various headquarters; design and development of satellites at ESTEC, the Netherlands; direction of activities from ESOC in Germany, computer data processing; ESTRACK satellite tracking station, Norway; globe to show other tracking stations; ESRANGE sounding rocket launching range in Sweden, launch of ESRO sounding rocket.