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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Spacelab Pallet 'Elvis' in Shuttle cargo bay during Eureca and TSS-1 deployment, 31 July 1992.
STS-46 European Retrievable Carrier 1L (Eureca-1L) satellite with solar arrays extended, is grappled by the remote manipulator system end effector and is positioned above the payload bay of Atlantis during pre-deployment activities. In the foreground, the IMAX Cargo Bay Camera mounted on Small Payloads Accomodations 'getaway special' beam interface appears on the starboard wall and the stowed Tethered Satellite System 1 (TSS-1) mounted in the satellite support assembly on the unpressurised spacelab pallet (centre). The scene is backdropped by Earth's limb. A 16mm lens gives this 35mm frame a 'fish-eye' effect.