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
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
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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The ESRO-4 satellite being prepared for solar simulation testing in Building 24 of the ESTEC technical centre in early 1972.
Launched that same year on 22 November, this 90-cm high, 76-cm wide satellite significantly advanced scientific understanding of Earth’s atmosphere, ionosphere and radiation belts, despite being injected into an incorrect orbit.
ESRO-4 was based on the proven ESRO-2B design, which on 17 May 1968 became the very first mission into orbit of the European Space Research Organisation, ESA’s predecessor.
Original engineering models of a number of pioneering European space missions – functional replicas of the final satellites, constructed expressly for testing – will go on show at the ESTEC Open Day on 5 October, as part of an exhibition marking 50 years of European cooperation in space.
For more information on Europe’s first half-century in space, visit the ESA History site.