ESA   ESA Director General 1997-2003, Antonio Rodotà, at the press conference for the Ministerial Council that took place in Paris in 2002. Photo: ESA/F.Castel Ten challenges for Europe in Space     The first few satellites of Europe’s Galileo navigation system will be validated in space by 2004 and all 30 should be in orbit by 2008   Astronaut Claude Nicollier, mission specialist from the European Space Agency (ESA) uses one of the Hubble power tools in a storage enclosure during the second of three STS-103 extravehicular activities. Photo: NASA After 27 years of success     During the past 25 years ESA has created Europe’s own launchers (Ariane 1 to 5) and established a convincing European presence in operations in orbit. Space projects - up and coming     ESA's Huygens probe descends through Titan's mysterious atmosphere to unveil the hidden surface (artist's impression) ESA's geography     At the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany, engineers plan missions, operate ESA's satellites, and ensure that spacecraft meet their mission objectives. Serving Europe and its citizens     Low levels of stratospheric ozone (blue) observed by ERS-2 over Europe in November 1999. Photo: GOME/ERS-2 and KNMI Exclusively peaceful purposes     Artist's impression of the International Space Station Last update: 18 June 2004