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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Testing equipment, procedures and even human resilience for future missions to faraway planets requires inventiveness. Volunteer astronauts can spend time in hyperbaric chambers, rollercoaster aircraft, an isolated base in Antarctica, caves, a sealed mockup spacecraft or even stay in bed, depending on the aspect you want to test and rehearse.
In this picture, scientist Lucie Poulet from the DLR German Aerospace Center is taking part in a two-week simulated mission on Mars held in February 2014 at the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah, USA.
Space agencies use simulations like this to research elements of sending humans into stressful environments. In space, help is far away, sunlight irregular, exercise difficult and social life is limited.