Herschel will share its launch with a partner, the Planck microwave space observatory, as it begins its journey to its destination in space. The two satellites are now undergoing their final tests before launch

With a growing global population ensuring food security in the world's poorer countries is a major concern – one that is being eased the help of data from Earth observation satellites such as Envisat

On 25 and 26 November in The Hague, Ministers in charge of space activities within the now 18 ESA Member States and Canada meet to define the role of space in delivering Europe's global objectives

Since the very first satellites carrying scientific instruments were launched, our understanding of the cosmos has improved. The Sun is studied to the core and, beyond our star, the Universe is becoming less obscure

The successful docking of the European Columbus module and the launch of the Automated Transfer Vehicle have opened a new era for Europe’s presence in space with the aspiration to consolidate its independence

ESA's Sentinels are Earth monitoring satellites forming part of the Space Component of GMES. Their data will help scientists and politicians manage our environment and its natural resources in the years to come

A new satellite communication system will revolutionise the way Europe gets its information from space

As a part of ESA's Future Launchers Preparatory Programme, the IXV project is designing and building a vehicle to test a range of systems and technologies for atmospheric re-entry

Belgian ESA astronaut Frank De Winne prepares for his next mission to the ISS, due to launch in 2009. Dutch ESA astronaut André Kuipers will be his backup

On the island of Sriharikota, 150 kilometres north of Chennai, India has based its launch centre SHAR, the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, named after the research scientist and former president of the ISRO, the Indian Space Research Organisation