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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ESA's Hermes manned spaceplane was planned to service the Columbus Man-Tended Free-Flyer and the International Space Station Columbus Attached Laboratory. The project was approved at the Ministerial Meeting in November 1987; the meeting of November 1992 reoriented Hermes into a technology programme. [Image Date: 1990-00-00] [91.03.017-001]