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
Go to topicThe Microgravity Science Glovebox enables astronauts on the International Space Station to perform a wide variety of materials, combustion, fluids and biotechnology experiments. It can also accommodate minor repairs and servicing of hardware that requires a controlled working environment.
The facility offers a wide range of innovative ways to control the experiments: from manual control with laptop computers operated by the astronauts to fully-automated and Earth-controlled experiments. A permanent data-exchange link with ground stations is ensured.