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 topicESA astronaut André Kuipers during the DELTA Mission on board the International Space Station in April 2004. Kuipers is wearing the SUIT experiment vest. The aim of the SUIT project is to support the astronaut with a vibrotactile suit to help with orientation in space. This suit consists of numerous small vibrating elements covering the torso. These elements inform the astronaut of a given predefined direction within the ISS by vibrating in that direction.