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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On-the-spot analysis of basalt rocks at the Bjockfjord volcanic complex on Spitsbergen Island, Norway, during testing for ExoMars. On the left, a high-resolution image of a basalt rock shows the spots identified for further analysis. On the right, the results of laser-based Raman spectroscopy obtained in some of these selected spots; at spots 5 and 6, Raman detected organic b-carotene and pyroxene. This testing was performed during the development of the Raman Laser Spectrometer instrument, due to fly on ESA’s 2020 ExoMars rover.