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 22 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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Space Shuttle Atlantis' drag chute is deployed as the spacecraft rolls toward wheels stop on runway 15 of the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, concluding the 13-day STS-122 mission. Onboard are NASA astronauts Steve Frick, commander; Alan Poindexter, pilot; Leland Melvin, Rex Walheim, Stanley Love, Daniel Tani, and ESA astronaut Hans Schlegel, all mission specialists. Main gear touchdown was 15:07:10 CET. Nose gear touchdown was 15:07:20 CET. Wheel stop was at 15:08:08 CET. Mission elapsed time was 12 days, 18 hours, 21 minutes and 44 seconds. During the mission, Atlantis' crew installed the new European Columbus laboratory, leaving a larger Space Station and one with increased science capabilities. Columbus adds nearly 25 cubic metres of habitable volume and affords room for 10 experiment racks, each an independent science lab.