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
Go to topicMedical applications for shape memory alloys (SMA) include repair of fractured bones, adjustment of teeth, repair of damaged aorta, etc. Tony Anson, founder of Anson Medical UK, is here demonstrating the use of SMA in repairing fractured bones at a seminar at Farnborough, July 2002. He began to investigate back in 1992 how SMA could be used in medical treatments when at Brunel University’s Institute of Bioengineering. His company is now making important contributions to the medical devices market.