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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10 November 2006. A 120-tonne mobile platform (left), mounted with a set of passive rendezvous targets (retroreflectors) identical to the ones installed on the ISS, are facing the sensors mounted on an articulated industrial robotic arm (right). The relative motion achieved between the two is identical to the one expected 2008 rendezvous between the first Automated Transfer Vehicle 'Jules Verne' and the International Space Station (ISS). The mobile platform replicates the closing motion between ATV and ISS, and the robot replicates the relative rotation and lateral motion between the two vehicles. The simulation tests were performed at Val de Reuil, France.