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
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Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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The first European hardware to arrive at NASA for Orion is the European Service Module structural test article. This test version of the service module has the same weight and configuration as the real thing and will undergo advanced testing at NASA’s Plum Brook Station in Ohio, USA.
In this picture the European Service Module structural test article is being ‘mated’ to the Crew Module Adapter, which connects the service module to the Orion Crew Module.
Once mating is complete the Service Module will weigh 13 000 kg in total. The Service Module will be placed on a shaker and vibrated to recreate the stress of launch.