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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The International Space Station, ISS, is the world’s largest international scientific venture ever. The partnership includes the USA, Russia, Canada, Japan and Europe.
The Station is a permanent human base in space, orbiting 400 kilometres above us. It offers unique opportunities to observe our planet, carry out research in space conditions – weightlessness, radiation, vacuum and extreme temperatures – and prepare for future human exploration.
Europe’s key contribution is the multi-purpose science laboratory, Columbus. Here, scientists can send experiments to be carried out in weightless conditions in unique facilities that will offer unrivalled research opportunities for many years.
ESA also provides the Automated Transfer Vehicle, ATV, a series of unmanned ferries that dock and undock automatically, each carrying a cargo of experiments, spares, food, propellant and other supplies.
Since 2001 ESA astronauts have been flying to the ISS to carry out essential assembly tasks and extensive programmes of experiments and human research. A new generation of six astronauts recruited in 2009 are currently preparing for future missions to the ISS and beyond.