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 topic
Engineers inspect the Ariane rocket final booster stage, or EPS, integrated at Europe's Spaceport, Kourou, French Guiana.
This booster will propel ESA's space ferry ATV Albert Einstein towards a rendezvous with the International Space Station bringing over 6500 kg of supplies to the orbital outpost.
ATV-4 will be launched on Ariane 5 flight VA213 in 2013.