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
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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
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An artist’s impression of the transiting exoplanet named 'HD 189733b'. The image is ‘reddened’ to provide an idea of the view in the infrared.
Scientists have reported the first conclusive discovery of the presence of water vapour in the atmosphere of a planet beyond our Solar System.
Infrared analysis of this gas giant’s transit across its parent star provided the breakthrough. The planet HD 189733b lies 63 light-years away, in the constellation Vulpecula.
It was discovered in 2005 as it dimmed the light of its parent star by some three percent when transiting in front of it.