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 TEXUS 43 sounding rocket was successfully launched 11 May 2006 from the Swedish Space Corporation's (SSC) launch facility Esrange Space Center in northern Sweden. The launch took place at 08.12 UT and the rocket provided almost 6 minutes (347 sec) of microgravity time for the 5 experiments on board. The payload was back at Esrange 75 minutes after lift-off.