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About ESA

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.

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ESA - United space in Europe

This is ESA ESA facts Member States & Cooperating States Funding Director General Top management For Member State Delegations European vision European Space Policy ESA & EU Space Councils Responsibility & Sustainability Annual Report Calendar of meetings Corporate news

Establishments & sites

ESA Headquarters ESA ESTEC ESA ESOC ESA ESRIN ESA EAC ESA ESAC Europe's Spaceport ESA ESEC ESA ECSAT Brussels Office Washington Office

Working with ESA

Business with ESA ESA Commercialisation Gateway Law at ESA Careers Cyber resilience at ESA IT at ESA Newsroom Partnerships Merchandising Licence Education Open Space Innovation Platform Integrity and Reporting Administrative Tribunal Health and Safety

More about ESA

History ESA Historical Archives Exhibitions Publications Art & Culture ESA Merchandise Kids Diversity ESA Brand Centre

Latest

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Space Safety

Vigil: ESA’s space weather reporter in deep space

17/07/2025 309 views 19 likes
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Story
Φsat-2 view of Bahia Blanca Estuary in Argentina
Applications

Φsat-2 begins science phase for AI Earth images

15/07/2025 1225 views 27 likes
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Image
Science & Exploration

You can’t judge a star by its protoplanetary disc

14/07/2025 1093 views 43 likes
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Cat’s Paw Nebula (NIRCam)

Week in images: 07-11 July 2025

Discover our week through the lens

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Press Release N° 24–2024
Science & Exploration

ESA and NASA join forces to land Europe’s rover on Mars

ESA and NASA are consolidating their cooperation on the ExoMars Rosalind Franklin mission with an agreement that ensures important US contributions, such as the launch service, elements of the propulsion system needed for landing on Mars and heater units for the Rosalind Franklin rover.
16/05/2024 5146 views
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Space in Member States

Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.

Germany Germany Austria Austria Belgium Belgium Denmark Denmark Spain Spain Estonia Estonia Finland Finland France France Greece Greece Hungary Hungary Ireland Ireland Italy Italy Luxembourg Luxembourg Norway Norway The Netherlands The Netherlands Poland Poland Portugal Portugal Czechia Czechia Romania Romania United Kingdom United Kingdom Slovenia Slovenia Sweden Sweden Switzerland Switzerland

Science & Exploration

Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe

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Programmes

Space Science Human and Robotic Exploration

Astronauts

Sophie Adenot
Pablo Álvarez Fernández
Rosemary Coogan
Samantha Cristoforetti
Alexander Gerst
Raphaël Liégeois
Matthias Maurer
Andreas Mogensen
Luca Parmitano
Thomas Pesquet
Marco Sieber

Missions

Juice Euclid Webb Solar Orbiter BepiColombo Gaia ExoMars Cheops Exoplanet missions More missions

Activities

International Space Station Orion service module Gateway Concordia Caves & Pangaea Benefits

Latest

Story
Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski using the Melfi freezer
Science & Exploration

How space research is advancing health on Earth and beyond

16/07/2025 419 views 15 likes
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Science & Exploration

Testing, testing, testing – Let’s Smile (episode 3)

15/07/2025 546 views 18 likes
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Science & Exploration

You can’t judge a star by its protoplanetary disc

14/07/2025 1093 views 43 likes
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Press Release N° 49–2024
Science & Exploration

ESA 3D prints first metal part on the International Space Station

The first metal 3D printer in space, a collaboration between ESA and Airbus, has printed its first metal product on the International Space Station, a breakthrough in crew autonomy for future long-duration exploration missions.
06/09/2024 3904 views
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Science & Exploration

Space science from home: resources for children and adults

A selection of activities to pass time and learn more about space science

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Space Safety

Protecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit

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About space safety

Protecting our Pale Blue Dot Space Safety at ESA

Asteroids

Asteroids and Planetary Defence Asteroid danger explained Flyeye telescope: asteroid detection Hera mission: asteroid deflection Near-Earth Object Coordination Centre

Space junk

About space debris Space debris by the numbers Space Environment Report In space refuelling, refurbishing and removing

Safety from space

Clean Space ecodesign Zero Debris Technologies Space for Earth Supporting Sustainable Development

Space weather

Solar Hazards ESA Vigil: providing solar warning Space Weather Warning Network

Latest

Story
Space weather reporter Vigil in deep space
Space Safety

Vigil’s tools as a space weather reporter

17/07/2025 221 views 4 likes
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Video 00:01:51
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Space Safety

Vigil: ESA’s space weather reporter in deep space

17/07/2025 309 views 19 likes
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Image
Space Safety

Close approach of asteroid (424482) 2008 DG5

04/06/2025 1408 views 28 likes
Close approach of asteroid (424482) 2008 DG5
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Space Safety

James Webb Space Telescope will study asteroid 2024 YR4

Webb will provide a more accurate estimate of the asteroid's size

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Applications

Using space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth

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Observing the Earth

Observing the Earth Future EO Copernicus Meteorology Space for our climate Satellite missions

Connectivity

Connectivity and Secure Communications ARTES Moonlight Civil security from space

Satellite navigation

Satellite navigation Galileo EGNOS NAVISP Genesis LEO-PNT

Commercialisation

ESA Commercialisation Gateway Open Space Innovation Platform Business Incubation ESA Space Solutions

Latest

Story
ALTIUS satellite platform in the cleanroom
Applications

ALTIUS ozone mission’s satellite platform assembled

17/07/2025 108 views 7 likes
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Image
Applications

Earth from Space: Lake District, UK

11/07/2025 11778 views 83 likes
The varied landscape of England’s Lake District is featured in this image captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission.
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Applications

ESA’s Space Systems for Safety and Security (4S) programme

20/11/2024 2561 views 29 likes
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Press Release N° 1–2024
Applications

Media invitation: Last chance to see the EarthCARE cloud and aerosol satellite in Europe

On 1 February, media representatives have the unique opportunity of seeing  the EarthCARE satellite up close in the cleanroom at Airbus facilities in Friedrichshafen, Germany, before the spacecraft is packed up and shipped to California, USA, for a launch scheduled in May.
11/01/2024 4327 views
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ESA Φ-week 2021
Applications

Register for Φ-week

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Enabling & Support

Making space accessible and developing the technologies for the future

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Building missions

Space Engineering and Technology Test centre Laboratories Concurrent Design Facility Preparing for the future Shaping the Future Discovery and Preparation Advanced Concepts Team

Space transportation

Space Transportation Ariane Vega Space Rider Future space transportation Boost! Europe's Spaceport Launches from Europe's Spaceport from 2012

Flying missions

Operations ESA ground stations Ground Systems Engineering

Latest

Story
The four-legged robot Olympus on Europe’s flattest floor
Enabling & Support

Four-legged robot’s first encounter with microgravity

17/07/2025 248 views 3 likes
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Image
Enabling & Support

Students take 3D-printed rovers for a spin

03/07/2025 784 views 33 likes
Students take 3D-printed rovers for a spin
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Video 00:02:27
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Enabling & Support

Proba-3 lift-off replay

05/12/2024 3609 views 66 likes
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Juice approaches Earth
Enabling & Support

Blog: Juice's lunar-Earth flyby

Follow for the latest updates as ESA's Jupiter mission swings through the Earth system this summer

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Press Release N° 8–2024
Enabling & Support

Call for interest: Ariane 6 launch media events at Europe’s Spaceport

Media representatives are invited to express their interest in attending media events at Europe's Spaceport at Kourou, French Guiana, for the first flight of Europe's new rocket Ariane 6. Journalists wishing to participate in either or both the pre-launch and launch media programmes detailed below, are asked to submit their application via ESA’s media accreditation page by Friday 1 March 2024.
19/02/2024 2603 views
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Science & Exploration

Human and Robotic Exploration Archive

Human and Robotic Exploration
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Stories Videos Images
Story
ESA's Node 3, Tranquility, handed over to NASA
Science & Exploration

Handover ceremony paves the way for launch of final Europea…

21/11/2009 1677 views 0 likes
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Story
Day 1 of the 49th ESA Parabolic Flight Campaign: A view inside the 'Zero G' cabin during the microgravity phase of a parabola
Science & Exploration

ESA Parabolic Flight Campaign successfully completed in Bor…

05/11/2009 3809 views 4 likes
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Space Station
Applications

ESA calls for ideas for climate change experiments from ISS

30/10/2009 2896 views 0 likes
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Story
The Mars500 study is set to take place in a special facility at the Russian Institute of Biomedical Problems in Moscow
Science & Exploration

Volunteers wanted for simulated 520-day Mars mission

20/10/2009 4320 views 1 likes
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Story
Science & Exploration

Watch on Euronews: A pocket-sized ecosystem

16/10/2009 494 views 0 likes
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Story
Di Pippo and Wörner spoke to the Expedition 21 crew from inside Columbus Control Centre
Science & Exploration

Europe celebrates its first European ISS commander

15/10/2009 516 views 0 likes
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Science & Exploration

Space exploration: European Ministers in Prague prepare a r…

14/10/2009 20733 views 2 likes
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Frank De Winne near a window in the Japanese Kibo laboratory
Science & Exploration

First European commander of the International Space Station

11/10/2009 3120 views 2 likes
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De Winne performs demonstration with water
Science & Exploration

ISS Day brings living in space to Earth

08/10/2009 652 views 0 likes
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Frank De Winne near a window in the Japanese Kibo laboratory
Science & Exploration

First European commander of the International Space Station…

06/10/2009 2162 views 2 likes
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Frank De Winne collects water samples for inflight analysis
Science & Exploration

Winner announced for the ESA/UNICEF Water Quiz

06/10/2009 693 views 0 likes
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Story
Frank De Winne works in the Unity node
Science & Exploration

Extra week for De Winne's OasISS Mission

29/09/2009 708 views 4 likes
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Story
Frank De Winne demonstrates the experiment from the ISS
Science & Exploration

ESA astronaut takes classroom into space

21/09/2009 938 views 1 likes
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Story
Frank De Winne works on a facility in the Kibo laboratory
Science & Exploration

Europe-wide education event with ESA astronaut Frank De Win…

21/09/2009 779 views 0 likes
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Story
Japan's H-II Transfer Vehicle is mated with Harmony
Science & Exploration

Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle mated with Station

18/09/2009 717 views 0 likes
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Story
A view of the Earth from the International Space Station
Science & Exploration

Call for Ideas to be released for climate change studies fr…

18/09/2009 775 views 0 likes
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Story
HTV captured by the Station's robotic arm
Science & Exploration

Japan's HII-Transfer Vehicle to berth with ISS

17/09/2009 1339 views 0 likes
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External Facilities: European Technology Exposure Facility (EuTEF)
Science & Exploration

EuTEF mission comes to a successful end

14/09/2009 1025 views 0 likes
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The International Space Station seen from Space Shuttle Discovery
Science & Exploration

ESA/NASA Memorandum of Understanding covers cooperation in …

14/09/2009 1931 views 0 likes
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Landing of Space Shuttle Discovery at the end of the STS-128 mission
Science & Exploration

ESA astronaut returns to Earth with Columbus lab experiment

12/09/2009 1648 views 1 likes
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Story
Space Shuttle Discovery during the STS-128 mission shortly after undocking from the ISS
Science & Exploration

Watch the landing of Space Shuttle Discovery live

12/09/2009 2538 views 3 likes
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HTV captured by the Station's robotic arm
Science & Exploration

Japan launches first HII-Transfer Vehicle

10/09/2009 1348 views 0 likes
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Integrated Cargo Carrier for ATV Johannes Kepler arrives in Bremen
Science & Exploration

ATV Johannes Kepler cargo section arrives in Bremen

10/09/2009 1829 views 0 likes
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View of the International Space Station following undocking of Discovery
Science & Exploration

Discovery starts journey home

08/09/2009 674 views 1 likes
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ESA astronauts Frank De Winne (left) and Christer Fuglesang inside the International Space Station's Quest Airlock
Science & Exploration

Shuttle crew to say farewells

07/09/2009 1162 views 1 likes
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Story
Fuglesang exits Quest Airlock at start of the third STS-128 spacewalk
Science & Exploration

Astronauts complete final STS-128 spacewalk

06/09/2009 960 views 0 likes
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Story
Christer Fuglesang stands on the end of Canadarm2 for the installation of an ammonia tank
Science & Exploration

Fuglesang and Olivas prepare for third STS-128 spacewalk

05/09/2009 561 views 0 likes
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Christer Fuglesang rides the Shuttle robotic arm during the second STS-128 spacewalk
Science & Exploration

Astronauts complete second STS-128 spacewalk

04/09/2009 1120 views 0 likes
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ESA astronaut Christer Fuglesang during spacewalk suit fit check
Science & Exploration

Fuglesang set for STS-128 spacewalk

03/09/2009 1028 views 0 likes
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ESA astronauts at Le Bourget before the Human Spaceflight and Exploration in Europe conference
Science & Exploration

New class of European astronauts report for training

03/09/2009 15020 views 32 likes
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Story
Frank De Winne works on a facility in the Kibo laboratory
Science & Exploration

ESA astronaut answers your questions from space

02/09/2009 841 views 0 likes
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Columbus external payloads SOLAR and EuTEF
Science & Exploration

Spacewalkers to retrieve science experiments outside Columb…

01/09/2009 744 views 0 likes
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STS-128 crew portrait
Science & Exploration

Two ESA astronauts meet on International Space Station

31/08/2009 2870 views 1 likes
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Story
Launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on the STS-128 mission
Science & Exploration

ESA astronaut launched to ISS to deliver and retrieve hardw…

29/08/2009 1570 views 1 likes
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Space Shuttle Discovery on the launch pad
Science & Exploration

Watch the STS-128 launch live

28/08/2009 2106 views 1 likes
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Space Shuttle Discovery on the launch pad
Science & Exploration

Countdown resumes for STS-128 launch

28/08/2009 914 views 0 likes
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Frank De Winne collects water samples for inflight analysis
Science & Exploration

Water on Earth and in space – the ESA/UNICEF water quiz

26/08/2009 1699 views 1 likes
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Story
Christer Fuglesang dons launch and entry suit for simulated launch countdown
Science & Exploration

ESA’s Swedish astronaut to return to the ISS

17/08/2009 2406 views 0 likes
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Christer Fuglesang portrait
Science & Exploration

ESA astronaut Christer Fuglesang well prepared for Alissé

14/08/2009 1727 views 0 likes
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Pressurized Mating Adapter-3 was relocated using Canadarm2
Science & Exploration

De Winne 'flies' Station robotic arm

12/08/2009 807 views 0 likes
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Story
Roberto Vittori
Science & Exploration

ESA astronaut Roberto Vittori to fly to ISS in 2010

11/08/2009 1690 views 0 likes
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ESA astronaut André Kuipers
Science & Exploration

ESA astronaut André Kuipers to spend six months on the ISS …

05/08/2009 2891 views 2 likes
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ESA astronaut Christer Fuglesang during STS-128 preflight training
Science & Exploration

Name and logo unveiled for Christer Fuglesang’s mission to …

03/08/2009 2699 views 0 likes
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Science & Exploration

Frank De Winne reflects on historic anniversary

20/07/2009 794 views 0 likes
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ESA astronaut Christer Fuglesang
Science & Exploration

Media accreditation for Shuttle flight STS-128 with ESA ast…

17/07/2009 1210 views 0 likes
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Expert depicted during reentry
Science & Exploration

ESA and Thales Alenia Space to sign development contract fo…

17/07/2009 1566 views 0 likes
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The Mars500 crew attend a press conference after completion of the 105-day study
Science & Exploration

Mission accomplished: 105-day Mars mission simulation ends …

14/07/2009 3971 views 3 likes
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Story
Oliver packs his bag at the end of the 105-day study
Science & Exploration

Mars500 diary: The end is close

14/07/2009 1166 views 0 likes
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Alexander Gerst
Science & Exploration

First press conference for ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst

08/07/2009 1089 views 0 likes
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Cyrille with the crops growing in the facility's greenhouse
Science & Exploration

Mars500 diary: nearing mission end

08/07/2009 895 views 0 likes
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