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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Airbus Defence and Space's preliminary design for a space harpoon system, incorporating a penetrating tip, crushable cartridge to help embed it in the target satellite structure and barbs to keep it sticking in so the satellite can then be reeled in. ESA is investigating the harpoon concept as one potential method to capture derelict satellites by its e.DeOrbit mission.