In all, the European Space Agency (ESA) has developed 60 spacecrafts over the last few decades. Some of these, such as the ERS satellites and Envisat, are dedicated to monitoring the Earth and providing vital data on the health status of our planet. Other spacecraft have helped to improve the accuracy of weather forecasting. Galileo, the joint ESA/EU satellite navigation programme, demonstrates the political dimension of space as service-provider for the benefit of European citizens. While these missions involve utilitarian space activities, others are devoted to either exploring the solar system, including the Sun, or achieving a better understanding of the Universe and the cosmic beginnings.