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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Concordia research station in Antarctica during construction.
Over 3000 tonnes of equipment and supplies were bought to the site over land in long convoys. The trek over 1100 km from the coast takes up to 12 days to complete.
Despite having to stop all work during the harsh Antarctic winter, it took only three summers to build the two towers that make up Concordia.
The base was commissioned in 2005 when the first team spent a complete winter living in the base. Since then it has been permanently crewed.