To explore some of the biggest questions in astronomy, ESA operates a fleet of space science missions that are exploring our Solar System and observing the Universe across the electromagnetic spectrum.

In this video, Günther Hasinger, ESA Director of Science, reflects on current challenges in space science, from planets and life to the fundamental workings of the Universe. Then, María Santos-Lleo, XMM-Newton Science Operations Manager, explains how ESA's flagship X-ray observatory collects data from some of the most energetic sources in the cosmos. Finally, Bruno Merin, Head of the ESAC Science Data Centre, shows how data from ESA’s space science missions are stored and made available to the worldwide community.

Learn more about ESA’s space science missions: www.esa.int/science

Explore the Universe with ESASky, an online application that allows users to visualise the sky as observed by ESA’s astronomy missions: sky.esa.int