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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NASA astronaut Kjell Lindgren pulling Pedro Duque on a stretcher in a simulated lunar rescue.
The crew took part in NEEMO 22, the 22nd NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations mission, consisting of astronauts, technicians and scientists living in the Aquarius underwater habitat off the coast of Florida.
The habitat acts as a makeshift ‘space base’ for the aquanauts to make regular ‘waterwalks’ in full scuba gear and, by adjusting their buoyancy, they can simulate the gravity levels found on the Moon, Mars or asteroids.
The Lunar Evacuation System Assembly allows for quick recovery of a Moonwalker while keeping the limited mobility of a spacesuit in mind. A foldable pyramid-like structure on wheels that opens above the astronaut, it lifts the incapacitated figure using pulleys and places it on a wheeled stretcher.
Pedro and Kjell took turns to be the fallen astronaut and coming to each other’s aid.