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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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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.

Science & Exploration

Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe

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Sophie Adenot

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Science & Exploration

ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover will have a European landin…

30/03/2025 2283 views 36 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 3232 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 safety and security

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Space Safety

ESA Space Environment Report 2025

01/04/2025 5857 views 20 likes

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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

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Arctic Weather Satellite introduces a new channel

Applications

ESA’s Arctic Weather Satellite hailed as excellent

31/03/2025 2346 views 54 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 4047 views

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Enabling & Support

Making space accessible and developing the technologies for the future

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Operations ESA ground stations Ground Systems Engineering

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Enabling & Support

Spectrum takes flight and clears the launch pad

30/03/2025 4266 views 64 likes

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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 2425 views

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Agency

Josef Aschbacher ist neuer ESA-Generaldirektor

01/03/2021 227 views 6 likes

ESA / Space in Member States / Austria

Ab heute, dem 1. März 2021, hat die ESA einen neuen Generaldirektor: Dr. Josef Aschbacher, der seinen Dienst in der ESA-Zentrale in Paris, Frankreich, angetreten hat.

Der ESA-Rat hatte Dr. Aschbacher im Dezember 2020 für einen Zeitraum von vier Jahren zum nächsten Generaldirektor der ESA ernannt. Er folgt auf Prof. Jan Wörner, dessen Amtszeit im Februar 2021 endete.

Dr. Aschbacher war zuvor ESA-Direktor für Erdbeobachtungsprogramme und Leiter des ESA-Zentrums für Erdbeobachtung, dem ESRIN bei Rom.

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