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 astronaut Léopold Eyharts stands in front of an X38 mock-up at NASA's Johnson Space Centre in Houston. A 'rescue' vehicle must always be attached to the International Space Station, ready to carry the six or seven astronauts living on board the International Space Station back to earth in an emergency. NASA was developing the innovative X-38 spacecraft to qualify technologies for a Crew Return Vehicle (CRV). ESA was to provide hardware and software as well as engineering expertise in aerodynamics, fuselage structure, landing gear and control surface systems. The development of the X38 was cancelled in 2002.