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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Backdropped against the blackness of space, ESA's Columbus laboratory and associated ESA hardware sit in the aft portion of Space Shuttle Atlantis' cargo bay on the eve of the shuttle's scheduled docking to the International Space Station. The addition of Columbus to the orbital outpost is one of the primary tasks of the STS-122 mission.