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 topicThe design of convertible vehicles is often based on sibling vehicles of the saloon or coupé line of cars. However, by taking off the top of a self-supporting structure, the convertible’s structure loses stiffness which leads to torsion vibrations. ARTEC Aerospace demonstrated to Daimler Chrysler that by using SPADD technology used on the European launcher Ariane, stiffening elements of 30 to 40 kg mass could be saved on a Mercedes CLK roadster.