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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Artist's impression of ESA's European Robotic Arm (ERA), planned to be attached to the International Space Station (ISS). Mounted on the Science and Power Platform (SPP) of the ISS Russian Segment, the 10 m-long ERA will be launched with the SPP by the Space Shuttle in 2001. Once installed, it will be used for SPP's in-orbit assembly - particularly the solar array - and be available for in-orbit maintenance tasks and support of EVAs. Fokker Space of The Netherlands is developing ERA under a contract with ESA. Unlike a human arm, ERA is functionally symmetric [Image Date: 1997/11] [97.12.018-007]