Europe and the International Space Station

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.