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
Go to topicMetOp-A will be launched in July 2006 on a Soyuz/ST Fregat from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan operated by Starsem.
A Soyuz rocket was first used in 1963 and has since launched more than 1,700 times. Its success rate of more than 97% makes it one of the most reliable launch vehicles in the world. Other ESA missions such as Mars Express and Venus Express were also launched on Soyuz.