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.
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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 topicThis near-infrared image, taken by the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT), shows a contour map of the SMART-1 impact flash occurring on 3 September 2006, at 07:42 CEST (05:42 UT).
The flash was so bright that the image is saturated. The North (upper portion) and South (lower portion) of the flash are not identical, with a clear elongation on the south side in the direction of the spacecraft's motion.